About Dentzel Carousel
Inside a bright octagonal pavilion at Meridian’s Highland Park waits a hand-carved survivor of the golden age of carousels. Gustav Dentzel’s company built the two-row menagerie ride in 1896, and it later entertained visitors at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair before Meridian purchased it in 1909.
The carousel’s animals are individually carved and painted, with horses joined by figures that reveal the playful imagination of early amusement craftsmen. Mirrors, lights, decorative panels, and the compact circular building create an experience closer to a moving piece of folk art than a modern carnival ride. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Only a small number of Dentzel carousels remain, and this example is especially unusual because its original mechanism, figures, and purpose-built pavilion survive together. The attraction was listed as temporarily closed for renovations beginning in late 2025, so visitors should call or check current updates before making a special trip. Even while resting, its ornate animals remain a remarkable piece of American amusement history.