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A Carousel for Missoula, Montana

 

There are a lot of carousels around the world, but few have as heart-warming a story as that of the carousel in Missoula.

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01 Carousel for Missoula

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22 Carousel for Missoula(A Carousel for Missoula building in Caras Park)

A Carousel for Missoula is the result of a multi-year community-based volunteer effort.  The idea behind creating a carousel resided with Missoula carpenter and cabinet maker, Chuck Kaparich.  Mr. Kaparich visited the carousel in Spokane, Washington's, Riverfront Park; that carousel had been created by a Danish immigrant as a wedding present for his daughter.  The visit inspired Kaparich to look into buying a carousel horse, but instead he was encouraged to build his own horse, which he did.

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05 Carousel for Missoula

06 Carousel for Missoula(A Carousel for Missoula horses)

Within a few years, Kaparich had carved four carousel ponies -- all made of basswood (a durable wood derived from Linden trees).  He approached the Missoula City Council with a deal: he would provide the city with a carousel, if they would give the carousel a permanent home and promise never to dismantle it.  The council agreed!  A community wide effort began, the project largely fueled with free labor and donations totaling more than $100,000 from local citizens (e.g. carousel horse "adoptions" were available for $2500).

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08 Carousel for Missoula

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10 Carousel for Missoula(More ponies from A Carousel for Missoula)

Volunteers began working on the carousel and the project came together when a secondhand carousel frame (weighing over 10 tons) was purchased for $3000.  The Missoula volunteer crew replaced the frames bolts and cleaned and repaired it.  When the 38 locally completed horses were mounted on it, the carousel had more than 16,000 parts!

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17 Carousel for Missoula(These spare horses are in a side room of a Carousel for Missoula)

The carousel was capped by a canopy with almost 1000 light bulbs, 14 carved gargoyles, and 15 carved frames holding mirrors.  A pipe organ was also acquired.

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The carousel was given a location in Missoula's Caras Park, on the north bank of the Clark Fork River.  A building was constructed for it again with local donations and volunteer labor.

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21 Carousel for Missoula(The Restoration Shop is in a side room in A Carousel for Missoula)

The Carousel was officially completed on May 27, 1995, the product of over 100,000 hours of volunteer time donation.  It runs on a daily basis to this day and is popular, especially with local and visiting families.  Over 225,000 rides are given on the carousel each year.

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13 Carousel for Missoula

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15 Carousel for Missoula(Smaller carvings on display around A Carousel for Missoula)

Last weekend's One Clue Mystery photo (seen below) featured a beautiful hand-carved green wooden dragon, named Lucky Red Ringer.  The photo was recognized by incomparable travel detective, George G.  Congratulations as always, George!

One Clue Mystery - Copy

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  • One Clue Mystery - Copy

Twitter: @DrFumblefinger

"We do not take a trip, a trip takes us".  John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charlie

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