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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Then and Now: Looff Carrousel

1973 - A doughnut-shaped excavation for the machinery under the historic Looff Carousel is shown on the grounds of Expo ’74 in Spokane. But the carousel wasn’t installed until after the world’s fair for fear that the venerable attraction might be damaged. The 10-sided building was used as a Bavarian beer garden at Expo ’74. (PHOTO ARCHIVE/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW / SR)
1973 - A doughnut-shaped excavation for the machinery under the historic Looff Carousel is shown on the grounds of Expo ’74 in Spokane. But the carousel wasn’t installed until after the world’s fair for fear that the venerable attraction might be damaged. The 10-sided building was used as a Bavarian beer garden at Expo ’74. (PHOTO ARCHIVE/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW / SR)
By Jesse Tinsley jesset@spokesman.com(509) 459-5378

German woodcarver Charles Looff, born in 1852, moved to the United States in 1870. Inspired by the sight of galloping horses towing a fire wagon, he designed and created a merry-go-round ride with carved wooden horses that moved as it spun. His first large carousel went to Coney Island in New York and was very popular. He built approximately 50 carousels in a lifetime of craftsmanship.

To promote streetcar travel, Natatorium Park was established in 1893 and developed by Spokane Street Railways, which was owned by Washington Water Power. Nat Park had a large pool, many rides, a small zoo, a baseball field and a dance pavilion. On Saturday evenings, a big-name dance band could attract 5,000 dancers.

When the new carousel arrived, the park’s concession operator had no money. So Looff forgave the $20,000 that was owed, provided his daughter and son-in-law, Emma and Louis Vogel, could take over concessions.

In 1929, the Vogel family bought the park. Louis died in 1952, and son Lloyd took over. By the late 1950s, park equipment was dated, and other venues, like the new Spokane Coliseum, drew large audiences.

In the early 1960s, the Vogels closed the park. Lloyd Vogel died in 1965. The Spokane Shriners bought and operated the park in 1967 and 1968 but also lost money. The carousel had been bequeathed to former park manager Bill Oliver, but the other equipment and rides were sold off. Oliver put the disassembled carousel, which Walt Disney had once tried to buy for Disneyland, into storage.

With Expo ’74 on the horizon, some wanted the venerable attraction on display for the world’s fair. Spokane Parks and Recreation Director Bill Fearn, the Spokane Jaycees and other school and civic groups raised funds to buy and resurrect the historic ride. An $80,000 anonymous donation built the 10-sided carousel house at the river’s edge.

Because some thought the historic carousel would be damaged by the Expo hordes, the building was used as a Bavarian beer garden during Expo. The carousel was installed and opened to the public in 1975.