Thousands of people from across the world visit Story City each year to experience a historic amusement ride.
The Story City Antique Carousel has been delighting families and tourists for more than 100 years. Though it's considered an "antique," the ride has held up thanks to community volunteers and leadership from the Story City Greater Chamber Connection (GCC).
The merry-go-round takes its visitors on a three-minute ride, and the time goes by faster than anticipated, Story City GCC Executive Director Shanon McKinley said.
Each ride costs only $1, or a punch card for 20 rides can be purchased for $15.
"It's one of the most cost-efficient activities you can do with a family," McKinley said. "It's something in a lot of people's backyards that will create everlasting memories with their family."
A worldwide appreciation
Love for the historic carousel extends beyond the community, drawing global visitors to Story City's "hidden gem," McKinley said. A little more than 17,000 people rode the Story City Carousel in 2023, arriving from all 50 states and 23 countries.
McKinley has a feeling the carousel's 2024 numbers will likely match last year.
The antique merry-go-round is available for rides this season until Sept. 29. A detailed schedule can be viewed on the carousel’s website.
From traveling to retirement to restoration
The historic carousel was built in 1913 by the Herschell-Spillman Co. of Tonawanda, New York.
It was originally owned by P.T. Gifford of Grundy Center, who took it to county fairs and town celebrations, including Story City’s Independence Day galas.
The Story City Greater Community Congress purchased the carousel from Gifford in 1938, and it quickly became a fixture in the Story City community.
The ride was temporarily retired in 1977 once wear began to show.
Interest in the old merry-go-round gathered steam in 1989, and restoration began at The Country Shop in rural Roland.
"(Volunteers) removed all the paint, made repairs and painted them back to their original colors," McKinley said. "They did original stencils, colors and prints to completely restore them to look like their original condition. That process took about 18 months."
A structure was built in North Park to hold the carousel, which opened on June 4, 1982, coinciding with Story City's annual Scandinavian festival.
The carousel has operated every year since.
Unique and rare items
Riders can make themselves at home on one of the 20 horses, two chickens, two pigs, two dogs, two set of benches or whirling tub on the carousel.
The carousel has a rare Uncle Sam bench, of which less than 10 still existed, according to McKinley. The ride is also home to a Wurlitzer organ, which is still operational despite being more than 100 years old.
"It's priceless; you cannot put a value on that because you can't replace it," McKinley said. "Same thing with our carousel - you're not going to get what we have again."
Volunteers keep ride in top condition
The carousel is protected by a volunteer maintenance committee.
The animals are removed and stored indoors each year at the end of the carousel season, which is typically in October or November.
"Our building itself is not heat or air controlled," McKinley said. "So whatever the temperature is outside is also going to be in that building."
The Story City GCC Board comes in the spring to polish all the brass. The maintenance volunteers install the animals back onto the carousel, which is still in prime condition.
"I think people hear 'historic carousel' and think it's going to be old-looking," McKinley said. "It's old, but it still looks amazing."
Shared love creates everlasting bonds
The Story City GCC director has seen the antique carousel become part of family traditions. Families often visit for July Fourth celebrations, Memorial Day, or other special occasions.
"It's something someone's grandma brought them to, and then they're bringing their grandkids," McKinley said. "You see it's very valuable in what their family does on a yearly basis."
The historic structure is often the backdrop, if not the theme, for Christmas photos, birthday celebrations, weddings, and graduations. These celebrations help the carousel volunteers connect with visitors.
These relationships bring community members − and returning tourists − closer, McKinley said.
"It's always a blessing because you get to build those relationships with people," McKinley said. "You get to be part of their family.
It's those little things that are big things for our community."
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
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