If you think Dick Fry did a good job, you should have seen it in the early 60s when the Nazerene Church owned it. It was neat as a pin. They even kept the grass cut.
SCP history: The origin of the gateway carousel horses June 14th, 2009, 6:00 am by Candice Shih, Staff Writer File photo, The Orange County Register Ever notice the carousel horses greeting shoppers as they drive in from Bristol or Bear streets?
Those equines might not be more than 40 years old, but the idea is.
According to the February 1967 issue of Orange County Illustrated,
“Guarding the gateways in South Coast Plaza, and mounted on the entrance signs, are eight hand-carved wooden horses. These animals were made for a carousel in the small town of Butler, Penn., in 1855, and were procured from a couple who had purchased the carousel and brought it from Pennsylvania to California. They had refurbished and erected the carousel and original melodian for the enjoyment of the neighborhood children, for whom the carousel operated on the weekends.
“The spare animals were taken to Mountain View, California, to the Arrow Development Co., who sand-blasted, re-glued, doweled, painted and glazed them to their present state. These, indeed, are to be dedicated as a theme and historical point to preserve tradition for future generations.”
If this picture is the one from Butler Pa.I have lots of memories of spending two weeks every summer at the camp ground when the Nazarenes had it.My mom and dad worked at the camp grounds every year.Mom worked in the kitchen with the other ladies cooking,and dad worked as the electrician & grounds keeper,even though my dad was a Nazarene preacher.Boy we had a good time there.I miss the tabernacle that was once there.If anyone has any pictures of the tabernacle,I'd sure like to see it.
I inherited a 1929 carousel horse supposedly from the Alameda carousel. The horse has the letters AE embossed in the belly pole holder. Any history or info would be appreciated.
I can still hear in my mind the music from the skating rink. The merry go round, the swimming pool, the horses. I went back one day on a sentimental journey to look for it but it is all gone. Thanks to Charles, I can still see these old places where I went as a child. It was fun to skate there and to swim in the pool. About 75 years ago.
I would like to talk to you about your memories of Alemeda Park. I am researching the park to give a talk in the Spring. If you could leave an email, I would like to contact you.
I went to a slideshow/talk on the park last Thursday sponsored by the Butler Historical Society. It was so well done and the speaker (Bill May) was very entertaining and just told the best stories. He was one of the best speakers I have ever heard and I hope they have him back next year.
Does anyone have a memory of someone with the last names Wolford or Widener working here? My father was adopted, his biological mother was from Butler and had some sort of connection to this park (possibly his father too). Looking for any info, thanks!
Remember?
15 comments:
very pretty setting
it IS gorgeous, I hope the never get rid of it. I used the play there when I was little.
We had several family reunions at that spot. Lots of memories.
Love Alameda. Good memeories there.
Beautiful, peaceful.
The Horses from this carousel were for many years, and may still be, at the South Bay Mall in Orange County, California.
Walt Lewis
Love this place. Always calm, even with an event there. Beautiful park thanks to Dick Fry who ran it all those years. he helped us love it.
If you think Dick Fry did a good job, you should have seen it in the early 60s when the Nazerene Church owned it. It was neat as a pin. They even kept the grass cut.
SCP history: The origin of the gateway carousel horses
June 14th, 2009, 6:00 am by Candice Shih, Staff Writer
File photo, The Orange County Register
Ever notice the carousel horses greeting shoppers as they drive in from Bristol or Bear streets?
Those equines might not be more than 40 years old, but the idea is.
According to the February 1967 issue of Orange County Illustrated,
“Guarding the gateways in South Coast Plaza, and mounted on the entrance signs, are eight hand-carved wooden horses. These animals were made for a carousel in the small town of Butler, Penn., in 1855, and were procured from a couple who had purchased the carousel and brought it from Pennsylvania to California. They had refurbished and erected the carousel and original melodian for the enjoyment of the neighborhood children, for whom the carousel operated on the weekends.
“The spare animals were taken to Mountain View, California, to the Arrow Development Co., who sand-blasted, re-glued, doweled, painted and glazed them to their present state. These, indeed, are to be dedicated as a theme and historical point to preserve tradition for future generations.”
If this picture is the one from Butler Pa.I have lots of memories of spending two weeks every summer at the camp ground when the Nazarenes had it.My mom and dad worked at the camp grounds every year.Mom worked in the kitchen with the other ladies cooking,and dad worked as the electrician & grounds keeper,even though my dad was a Nazarene preacher.Boy we had a good time there.I miss the tabernacle that was once there.If anyone has any pictures of the tabernacle,I'd sure like to see it.
I inherited a 1929 carousel horse supposedly from the Alameda carousel. The horse has the letters AE embossed in the belly pole holder. Any history or info would be appreciated.
I can still hear in my mind the music from the skating rink. The merry go round, the swimming pool, the horses. I went back one day on a sentimental journey to look for it but it is all gone. Thanks to Charles, I can still see these old places where I went as a child. It was fun to skate there and to swim in the pool. About 75 years ago.
Richard Palmer:
I would like to talk to you about your memories of Alemeda Park. I am researching the park to give a talk in the Spring. If you could leave an email, I would like to contact you.
Thanks!
I went to a slideshow/talk on the park last Thursday sponsored by the Butler Historical Society. It was so well done and the speaker (Bill May) was very entertaining and just told the best stories. He was one of the best speakers I have ever heard and I hope they have him back next year.
My Father ran the Merry Go Round & Sea Planes at the park for many years as a young man. He had many stories to tell.
Does anyone have a memory of someone with the last names Wolford or Widener working here? My father was adopted, his biological mother was from Butler and had some sort of connection to this park (possibly his father too). Looking for any info, thanks!
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