L.A. Acquires Historic Griffith Park Carousel, a Childhood Haunt of Walt Disney, for $1โข Million
LOS ANGELES – Theโค City ofโ los Angeles has purchased the Griffithโ Park Merry-Go-Round, a beloved โlandmark with deep โties to waltโฃ DisneySโฃ history, for $1 million.The acquisition ensures the carousel’s preservation and โeventual reopening after years of โdisrepair.
The carousel,a fixture of Griffith โขPark since 1937,holds a special place in the city’s cultural heritage and in the personal history of the famed animator. disney frequently brought his daughters to ride the carousel on Saturdays, and it served as inspiration for his visionโฃ of a futureโฃ theme park. โฃWhile a reopening date remains unannounced,the purchase safeguardsโค a dwindling example of early 20th-centuryโฃ amusement โขpark artistry and fulfills the seller’s wish for the carousel to remain in โฃits longtime home.
Built inโค 1926, the merry-go-round was relocated to Griffith Park during the โคGreat Depression. It features horses โฃcarved by Charles Looff,renowned creator of the Santa Monica Pier carousel,and is considered aโค rare “four-across” modelโ -โ one of aโ decreasing number still in existence with its original features intact.
According to city documents, the carousel is currently unable to be moved even by hand and requires substantial repairs. Despite receiving higher offers,the sellers prioritized finding a buyer โcommitted to maintaining the carousel’s legacy within griffith Park,as noted in โa โขcity agreement. Appraisals commissioned by the city highlighted its historical importance and near-complete originality.
The city’sโข proposal details the carousel’s unique value,and the acquisition marks a commitment to restoring a treasured piece of Los Angeles history for future โgenerations.