Looff Carrousel through the years

The Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park marks its centennial this year. These photos range in date from 1930 to 2007.

Section:Gallery

Fri., March 20, 2009

The carrousel waas built by German woodcarver Charles I.D. Looff in the early 1900's. He sent it to Spokane as a wedding present to his daughter and louis Vogel, who ran Natatorium Park for many years. The carrousel began operating in Nat Park in 1909. When the park closed in 1968 the city of Spokane purchased the carrousel and put it in storage. It was moved to Riverfront Park in 1975. Photo taken in 1930. PHOTO ARCHIVE The Spokesman-Review
A 1975 photo of the Looff Carrousel after it was reassembled in Riverfront Park. The 54-horse merry-go-round had been one of the major attractions in Natatorium Park before the park was closed in 1968. PHOTO ARCHIVE The Spokesman-Review
This is a photo from the early 1950's in Natatorium Park of Earl Atkinson repainting one of the carrousel horses. The horse was part of a carrousel that was carved and then shipped to Spokane by German woodcarver Charles Looff in 1909. Now in Riverfront Park, the carrousel is considered Spokane's "glittering crown jewel". Photo by Wally Hagin. Submitted by Rosetta Brockway(Atkinson's daughter).
A 1955 photo from the Looff Carrousel when it was one of the major attractions in Natatorium Park. PHOTO ARCHIVE The Spokesman-Review
A 1973 photo of Bill Oliver with horses from the Looff Carrousel during the time it was being refurbished before being moved to Riverfront Park. The Carrousel was set up in the building used as the German Pavilion during Expo 74. Oliver was in charge of the move and setup in 1975. PHOTO ARCHIVE The Spokesman-Review
An undated photo from the Looff Carrousel when it was one of the major attractions in Natatorium Park. PHOTO ARCHIVE The Spokesman-Review
A horse is revealed in the darkened Looff Carrousel by a beam of sunlight as dawn begins the wake-up call in dowtown Spokane. photo by-Brian Plonka/The Spokesman-Review
Samantha Jo Riley laughs as she rides the Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park Friday February 16, 2007. The Spokane Washington attraction was created in 1909 and is a U.S. Historical Landmark. The carrousel opened Friday after its annual maintenance project. CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON The Spokesman-Review

Christopher Anderson The Spokesman-Review
With temperatures reaching the 90's in Spokane on Wednesday, children and adults find shade and entertainment at the Looff Carrousel on Wendsday afternoon. Jed Conklin/The Spokesman-Review

Jed Conklin The Spokesman-Review
A rider goes for a spin on the Looff Carrousel at Riverfront Park, Thursday, in Spokane. Brian Plonka/The Spokesman-Review

Brian Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Jaclyn Davis of Quilcene, WA, enjoys a ride on the Loff Carousel in Spokane, WA. BRIAN PLONKA The Spokesman-Review

Brian Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Bette Largent adds gold paint Thursday afternoon to "Geri Giraffe", a poplar wood-carved member of the Looff Carrousel. The giraffe was on of only 10 made by Charles Looff of Brooklyn, New York and date back to the late 1890"s. The carrousel has been closed since early January for annual maintenance and will reopen on February 13. All of the animals on the ride have been given names and recored in a book. Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review