Designed by master craftsman Daniel Muller, just two of the 12 carousels designed by Muller are currently in existence — the one in Forest Park, Queens and another in Cedar Point, Ohio. After emigrating from Germany in the 1880s, Muller settled in Philadelphia and opened D.C. Muller and Brother Co., which operated from 1903 to 1914. Muller crafted figures for twelve carousels in his lifetime; this carousel is one of only two that remain, with his fanciful interpretations of horses, unicorns, bears, and other menagerie animals. Muller worked with the Dentzel Company on the Forest Park Carousel, another historically renowned carousel maker. William H. Dentzel constructed the frame in 1890 and Muller carved the animals in 1903.
The carousel contains 49 horses, a lion, a tiger, a deer, and two chariots arranged in three concentric circles. The carousel also contains an original carousel band organ. Today, only four other New York City parks operate carousels: Prospect Park in Brooklyn, Central Park in Manhattan, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, and Willowbrook Park in Staten Island. Great Job Woodhaven Resident’s Block Association! After a number of carousel rides, I had a great conversation with one of the executives from NY Carousel, the management team behind the carousel, about the history of the carousel, Woodhaven, Forest Park, the clown show and the cost/schedule. I’m glad we were walking by on opening day!
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