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THE ORIGINAL CAROUSEL
In 1891 several men organized the Menlo Park Association and purchased five acres of land at Fifth Street and Park Avenue in Perkasie and leased water rights on the stream as far as the Sellersville dam. A carousel with wooden horses was purchased in November of 1891 for $5,500 and delivered in May of 1892. In 1892, 1893, and 1894 the carousel operated from Decoration Day (Memorial Day) to Labor Day. Each year the carousel was dismantled and stored away for the winter. In the fall of 1893 the carousel was loaded on a train at Park Avenue and shipped to Allentown for the Allentown fair. An open sided building with a dirt floor was put up in 1895 to house the carousel which still stands today. In 1896 shutters and a wooden floor were added. The entire park (a well known amusement park of its day) became the property of Henry S. Wilson in 1926. The original carousel operated until 1951 when the current machine replaced the old one. The original carousel is believed to be moved to an amusement park in Royersford that Henry S. Wilson owned.
Menlo Park during Henry S. Wilson's private ownership.
Models of rides form the original Menlo Park are on display at the Perkasie Carousel today. The toboggan (above) and water slide or mountain shute (below) were originally located on the hill behind the carousel.
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THE PRESENT CAROUSEL In 1951, Henry S. Wilson purchased the current carousel from the Allen Herschell Company in North Tonowanda, NY. The carousel carries 36 cast aluminum horses and two wooden chariots. In the year 1955 the entire Menlo Park was purchased by the Borough of Perkasie. The purchase was approved by the voters by a vote of 5-1. The price of the purchase was $115,000. The Perkasie clothing manufacturer donated $25,000 "to enable the children of Perkasie to have a cheap swimming." The borough continued to operate the rides until the early 60's. Then because of money problems and little things going wrong with the rides the whip, Dodgem, and the kiddie rides were sold. Menlo Park's roller rink, bowling alley, and original bath house were soon demolished, leaving the carousel as the only ride left to remember this amusement park in Perkasie. The Perkasie Historical society took over the operation of the carousel under a a $1 per year lease agreement in 1968. In 1969 the carousel was cleaned, refurbished, and had the roof replaced. In 1970 carousel operation resumed on special days during the summer. In 1970 rides were 15 cents, in 1991 rides were 25 cents, and in 1995 to the present 35 cents per ride. Today with a nine day schedule per year 15-16,000 rides are taken each year. |
