Where American Carousels Were Born — A Ride Through Time Awaits ✨🎠

(And yes—we’ll take you there.)

Before roller coasters roared or Ferris wheels turned, there were carousels. And if you want to find where America’s carousel dreams began—not in a book, but in real life—you’ll find it just 25 minutes from Niagara Falls, in North Tonawanda, New York.

This isn’t just a museum.

It’s the birthplace of the American carousel industry.

Step inside the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, the original home of the Allan Herschell Company—the pioneering force behind portable carousels that once traveled from town to town, delighting generations. This factory complex is the last surviving carousel production site in the United States. Every wooden horse, every painted panel, every swirl of organ music echoes a revolutionary period in American entertainment.

Allan Herschell: The Scottish Immigrant Who Turned North Tonawanda into the Carousel Capital of America

It was Allan Herschell, an immigrant from Scotland, who recognized the untapped potential of North Tonawanda. With access to endless supplies of lumber, nearby paper mills, and a growing population of skilled European immigrants, he built a business that would shape American leisure for generations.

Herschell pioneered the portable carousel, using local wood and the talents of German, Polish, and Italian artisans to craft beautifully hand-carved rides that could travel with circuses and fairs across the country. But he didn’t stop there. Herschell also invested in the Wurlitzer Company, helping it become a global powerhouse in band organs and jukeboxes—adding sound and soul to the rides he built. Together, these two companies turned North Tonawanda into a world leader in mechanical entertainment and industrial innovation.

🛠️ Why It Matters

This is where hand-carved carousel horses first galloped into American life.
The Allan Herschell Company was the most prolific maker of carousels and kiddie rides in U.S. history.
The factory helped transform carnivals and amusement parks forever—bringing joy coast to coast.
And today, it’s a living, spinning, whirling tribute to the artistry, engineering, and imagination of a forgotten golden age.

You won’t just see history here—you’ll ride it. The museum’s fully restored 1916 carousel still runs, powered by the same spirit that launched a cultural phenomenon.

🌟 And yes, we’ll take you there 🌟

Let Go Niagara Tours bring you to this national treasure. It’s a peaceful, nostalgic escape from the rush of the Falls—a place of music, movement, and memory.

🎟 Admission includes two tokens. One for the grand carousel, one for the kid-sized version.

📍 Located at 180 Thompson Street, North Tonawanda.

🚌 We’ll handle the drive. You handle the wonder.

💬 Want to go?

Just tell us when you book your Niagara Falls tour—and we’ll add this unforgettable stop. Because sometimes the most powerful rides don’t drop from the sky…