History of "The Sausalito Carousel at Port Townsend"
An Antique Style, 10 Rider, Foot-Pedal Powered
Carousel now located in Yelm, Washington

American Folk Art That You Can Ride

(Click on Thumbnail Photo to see Large Photo.)

Sausalito Carousel and Pavilion	Pig & Bunny	Frog & Cat	Horse 1 & Horse 2
Horse 3 & Horse 4	Swan Chariot	Ring Catcher & Clown Toss	Pedaling Mechanism

History of the Sausalito Carousel
In early 1990 the Bay Area Discovery Museum at East Fort Baker in Sausalito, California, commissioned 5th generation carouselmaker Bill Dentzel to build a 10 rider, foot-pedal powered ride as a hands on exhibit at their museum. The design was a scaled down version of America's oldest operating "flying horses" Dare carousel at Watch Hill, R.I., built in 1883. The unique Dentzel foot-pedaling mechanism was the main modification. When the unpainted carousel was delivered to the museum in 1991, children from all over the area helped paint the carousel and set it up for operation. For over 9 years it delighted youngsters and was a noted attraction in the Bay Area. Then changes in the focus of the museum brought an end to the carousel exhibit. Upon hearing about the availability of this carousel, the PTCA decided to acquire it and make it an integral part of their Carousel of the Olympic Sea pavilion fund raising strategy.

For three months a crew of local teenagers operated the carousel on weekends, summer weekdays and holidays, raising money for the Carousel of the Olympic Sea. At the same time a national marketing campaign was underway, advertising the sale of the Sausalito Carousel. The Hunter Family from Yelm, Washington bought the carousel and brought it to their private pumpkin patch and Christmas tree farm for seasonal use. 

• 18 foot diameter, 12 foot high, 10 Rider "Flying Horses" Style Carousel, Hand carved Animals with Glass Eyes include; Frog, Pig, Bunny, Cat with Fish, 4 Horses and a Double Swan Chariot, also all Scenic Panels
• Foot Pedaling Mechanism (The carousel is non-electric but can be retro-fitted with a motor. Foot-pedaling is easy and fun and can be done by someone as young as 12 years old; it is recommended that only trained operators do the pedaling.)
• Traditional Ring Catcher and Clown Toss accessories.
• 28.5 foot diameter, 14 foot high, blue and white standard Portable Pavilion. Protects it quite well.
• Red and yellow canvas skirt which hangs down from rounding board perimeter to protect carousel when ride is closed.
• One box of 200 Dentzel Coloring Albums.