The Seaside Heights Carousel, 114+ Years Old And Fully Restored

The Seaside Heights Carousel isn’t just any amusement ride, it’s a beloved gem that has brought joy to generations. With its colorful, hand-carved horses and whimsical charm, this iconic carousel is a fantastic trip down memory lane.

Visiting the Seaside Heights Carousel

Starting July 4th, the carousel is welcoming visitors daily throughout the summer season, operating from 3 PM to 10 PM. This family-friendly attraction offers a magical experience for all ages, perfect for making summer memories. Please note that hours will shift in the fall, so be sure to check the schedule as the season changes.

Tickets to ride the carousel are just $4, making it an affordable option for families looking for fun activities. What’s even better is that children under 42 inches tall can enjoy a ride completely free!

History of the Moreland Dentzel/Looff Carousel

The exact year the Dr. Floyd L. Moreland Dentzel/Looff carousel was built remains unknown, but most of its intricately crafted animals date back to 1910, with some as old as 1890! This places the creation of this historic carousel during the golden age of carousels.

Carousels from this period are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and artistic quality. The carved wooden figures, especially the horses, are highly detailed and vibrantly painted. Notable artisans such as Dentzel, Illions, Carmel, and Looff, celebrated for their exquisite carvings, are all represented in the historic Seaside Heights carousel.

Since 1932, the carousel has called Seaside Heights home, having been relocated from Burlington Island. It made the journey after sustaining damage in a fire that affected many of its animals.

In the most recent restoration of the carousel, it was discovered that the William F. Mangels Carousel Company replaced some of the animal fixtures which were replaced from the Burlington Island fire. This unique collaboration makes it one of the few, if not the only, Dentzel-Looff-Mangels carousels in existence today, further enhancing its historical significance.

The Carousels Entrance to Seaside Heights

In a time when no one had any use for a strip of sand, the carousel was brought to Seaside to compete with the new and successful Freeman’s Amusement Center. Over the years the owners started to build up the area around the carousel building.

At first there was an Olympic-size salt-water pool and a fishing pier with several other amusements. As decades past, the area continued to evolve into what we now know as Casino Pier.

In the 1980s, the Seaside Heights carousel narrowly avoided dismantling, when the owners of the carousel seriously considered selling off the animals to collectors. Some animals fetched an unbelievable $100,000 or more at auctions during that decade.

Enter Dr. Floyd Moreland. He strongly opposed selling off of the animals and convinced the owners they should let him restore the carousel.  He had ridden the carousel as a child and later operated the ride as an employee of the Casino Pier so it held great personal importance to him.

Finally, in 2019 the Seaside Heights carousel became the property of the the town, when they completed land swap deal with Casino Pier. For the first time since the ownership swap, the carousel is riding again.

Unique Features of the Carousel

This carousel is a stunning example of hand-carved craftsmanship, made entirely of wood with over 100 years of history. As it spins, it fills the air with the sounds of a Wurlitzer Military Band Organ (historic in it’s own right), built in 1923.

The carousel features 35 jumping horses, 18 standing horses, and 5 menagerie animals, including a lion, tiger, mule, and two camels, along with 2 beautifully crafted chariots.

Remarkably, it is one of only four remaining wooden carousels in New Jersey and among approximately 150 still operating in the United States. It’s hard to believe that from an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 that once existed so few remain. This makes it a cherished piece of American heritage and a must-see attraction.

The Carousel’s Impact on the Community

The impact of the Moreland Dentzel/Looff Carousel on Seaside Heights has been profound. In fact, it has been argued that the existence of Seaside Heights is due in part to the carousel.

Over the years, the Seaside Heights carousel has fostered a sense of community pride and engagement. More than once, it has brought people together for preservation efforts, creating a shared appreciation for the town’s heritage and promoting community.

Today, this single carousel represents what is left of the towns original amusement beginnings. From barren sand to a iconic Jersey Shore community.

So come and experience the magic of the Seaside Heights Carousel!