Holyoke Merry Go Round Still Going ‘Round in Holyoke MA

It's funny how some things end up on the Retro Roadmap and the Holyoke Merry Go Round is a perfect example.

Retro Roadhusband and  I had just eaten at Nick's Nest and were waiting for the sun to set so we could get a picture of the glorious neon of Donut Dip (and also waiting to find a donut shaped space in our bellies after the hot dogs at Nick's -!) As we drove around I suddenly had a vision a kitchen magnet that I had on my fridge in my apartment in Medford, MA and remembered that there might be a vintage carousel in the area. Through the modern power of cell phone internet and map technology, we were able to have a lovely visit to this historic carousel in downtown Holyoke MA.

Built between 1927-1929 the merry go round was part of Mountain Park amusement park that was in business on Mount Tom from 1894 - 1987. Manufactured by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company,  it is the 5th to last merry go round the company ever made, PTC # 80. When Mountain Park closed in 1987 a non-profit group was created in order to save the carousel from being sold piece by piece. The group successfully managed to keep the carousel in Holyoke and it is now the centerpiece of Holyoke's Heritage State Park. The merry-go-round now has a John T. Hickey Preservation Fund, named after one of the originating members of the group (my mother's maiden name is Hickey, I wonder if we're related?)

We were glad to see that the carousel was in full swing as we walked into the roundhouse, with kids waving to their parents ( "Hi Daddy!") parents taking pictures of their kids and folks setting up for a birthday party right next to the carousel. Open year 'round, the rides are a bargain at $1 a piece, making it an affordable destination for all- why don't you stop by and give it a whirl!