Steeplechase Three Ring Carousel

Dear Mr. Coney Island...
I've been doing a search to find images, pictures and films/video and audio showing the incredible Classic Three Rotating Ring Carousel that I remembered, as a young boy, that was housed in the huge indoor Steeplechase Park. As a young boy in the 1950's I had been amazed at the mechanical complexity of such an amazing machine with its 'Three Counter Rotating Ride Rings', Beautifully Hand Carved and Lovingly Painted Motion and Still Horses, and the Powerful music that came from the Huge Mechanical Full Orchestra and Organ/Calliope. I was born and raised in Brooklyn and Coney Island was a regular venue for our family entertainment. I'm hoping you'll be the one to help restore this childhood amazement to me! Regards, namaste
- David

Hello David,

That would be the El Dorado Carousel, now located at Toshimaen Amusement Park in Tokyo. This magnificent machine was carved by Hugo Hasse of Leipzig Germany in 1902. In 1910 it was moved to Coney Island and installed in a building Surf Avenue at West Fifth Street. The carousel survived the 1911 Dreamland Fire, blistered but intact. George Tilyou brought the El Dorado to Steeplechase Park in 1912 where it became the centerpiece of the Steeplechase Pavilion. It was sold after Steeplechase closed in 1964.

Comments

Carousels

Permalink Submitted by Thomas Cavallo (not verified) on Mon, 10/28/2019 - 10:44

Born in Coney Island 1937. Lived two blocks off Surf Ave. Enjoyed this great amusement area. I can still hear the Carousel Bell ringing in my ears. Steeplechase Park was greater than Disney's Parks. This is where Disney came to get ideas for his first park. I remember a Chicken Carousel with large Roosters, I think it was called The Chanticleer. It was in the outside area. Was it relocated?

El Dorado‘s Next Destination

Permalink Submitted by June M. (not verified) on Wed, 08/19/2020 - 03:46

I started to tears reading this comment. Toshimaen in Tokyo is closing as of August 31, 2020 ending its 94 years history. The site of Toshimaen will be Warner Bros. Harry Potter's theme park. Carousel El Dorado's next destination has not been decided yet although it will be saved and expected to come back someday somewhere. Government of Tokyo and El Dorado owner Seibu Railways Company is working on conserving it. Locals hope EI Dorado stay in the park integrated in Harry Potter theme park. I am a Japanese person born in 1966, raised nearby Toshimaen with many, many El Dorado ride experiences. I will make a final ride at Toshimaen next week. Coney Island was my favorite place to visit when I was living in NYC where I was working in a Soho art gallery after graduated from NYU. Memories of good times come back in this COVID-19 peril. May only good things come to the world！