There is a lot to love at the Columbus Zoo, but a consistent guest favorite is the Mangels-Illions Grand Carousel.
In 1914, fifty-two horses and two chariots were carved by Marcus C. Illions and Sons Company and installed on a frame engineered by William Mangels, who patented an improved overhead crank system that produces the up and down motion of the horses on the carousel. It is still used today in modern carousels.
The carvings are spectacular, reflecting the fire and personalities of the horses. With bits in their teeth, they are ready to “dash away” at any moment. Their trappings are imaginative (fish scale armor, batwing saddles), detailed, and adorned with jewels. Bold colors and lots of gold and silver leaf reflect the Coney Island carousel style. The lead horse, for example, is an ornate armored jumper with fish scale blankets. In the old days, it was the horse and rider where the carousel operator started collecting the ride tickets.
The carousel is one of the few Grand Machines that Mangels-Illions made and is extremely unique because all of the original horses remain. The band organ, a Wurlitzer 153, still cranks out the music. With over 300,000 smiling guests on-board every year, the Grand Carousel remains one of the most popular rides at the Zoo.
National Carousel Association Patrick Wentzel, and his family visitied the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and these “52 old and dear friends" during Wildlights 2021. “My family and I have been visiting this machine for over 35 years," he said. "The 11 in our group ranged in age from 6 to 60s. What a grand time we had. It was great to see the carousel again loaded with riders enjoying themselves.”
This 100+ year old beauty provides generational fun and an opportunity to share stories of the past with friends, family, and loved ones.
