The Carousel at Lakeside Park

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Photographs

Description

A photograph of the carousel in its original location at the east end of Lakeside Park, Port Dalhousie. (date unknown)

Notes

File Number: 06/pt1/34-1.2

Port Dalhousie amalgamated with the City of St. Catharines in 1961.

The Carousel was manufactured by Charles I.D. Looff in approximately 1905 in Riveside Rhode Island. It was purchased second hand from Hanlan's Point/Scarborough Beach in Toronto and moved to the park in 1921.

In the 1970s Mrs. Dorothy Crabtree, a local antiques dealer, raised 20,000 dollars to purchase the carousel. The Carousel was turned over to the city with the understanding the cost would remain at 5 cents a ride. The carousel is now maintained by the St. Catharines Park and Recreation Department.

Lakeside Park was run jointly beginning in 1920s by Canadian National Railway and the Niagara St. Catharines & Thorold Railway. The park had a number of attractions to draw visitors including a dance pavilion, ball park, bathing pavilion and various rides. Visitors came across the lake on steamers such as the Dalhousie City and the Northumberland to visit the park.

The site was run by Sid Brookson in the 1950s and 60s until the City of St. Catharines took over management of the park in the 1970s.

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