Dear Mr. Coney Island,
I am a distant relative of M.C. Illions and was wondering where his original workshop was located. None of the relatives (including my father who was there) seem to remember.
Thanks.
Susan Illions Levine
Hello Susan,
The last Illions carousel factory was located in a wood frame building at 2836 West 8th Street near Surf Avenue, across from the old fire station and up the block from the Mangels factory. The entire block was razed in the late 1950s and is now occupied by the Luna Park Houses housing project.
October 3rd, 2012 at 9:03 am
Those horses appear to have been carved beautifully. I wonder if any of them still survive? I could just imagine what they would have looked like in full color.
January 6th, 2013 at 10:57 am
Hi, Susan –
I think it’s wonderful that you’re reaching out with this question about your ancestors – Marcus Illions and his sons were among the finest of the American carousel carvers. In fact, among his contemporaries he was called the “King of the American horse carvers”. A family legacy to be proud of!
January 7th, 2013 at 2:12 am
There was a wonderfully detailed audio interview with Barney Illions made by the Brooklyn Historical Society. You can access it as a podcast on Apple iTunes (it’s podcast #67): https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/brooklyn-historical-society/id283168068
March 6th, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Hello, MC Illions was my Great Grandfather. I think your site is awesome. Thru Facebook I have found that I have many East Coast relatives that I can’t wait to meet.
Thank you so much for all you do.
Sue Illions Miller
March 7th, 2013 at 1:32 am
How awesome it just was listening to my Great Uncle Barney. Thank you
For sharing the podcast. Being the youngest Illions
On this side of the family I always love to hear any story that I can about my family.
Thanks again.
Sue