The Lakeside Park Carousel has captured the spirit of St. Catharines residents for generations. It was carved between 1898 and 1905 in Riverside, Rhode Island by the Charles I. D. Looff Company and moved to its St. Catharines home in 1921 where it was welcomed enthusiastically.

Lakeside Park was originally operated as a joint concern between the Canada Railway News and the Niagara, St. Catharines and Toronto Railway (N.S.&T.). The N.S.&T. Railway purchased the carousel second hand from Hanlan's Point, Scarborough Beach in Toronto and in 1921 constructed the carousel building on the beach of Lakeside Park. In years past, the "Northumberland" and the "Dalhousie City" steamers traversed the lake to bring thousands of visitors to one of the most popular beaches on all of the Great Lakes. At only $1.00 return, this St. Catharines trip became a Sunday ritual. Approximately one-quarter of a million people annually visited this park and flocked to ride the carousel, only one of 58 attractions that once filled the park.

Here is a link to this wonderful historical place:

http://www.niagarawoodcarvers.ca/carousel/

Please take the time to see this site.

Maggie(Kleome)