The Flying Horses Antique Carousel is the oldest merry-go-round in the state. Built in 1912, and brought to Brenham in 1930, the 24-horse amusement ride can still entertain the youngest thrill seekers.
The herd of wooden horses was found in a field between Brenham and College Station. Evidently they had been left behind by a carnival that couldn’t afford the rent on the pasture during the Great Depression.
The Washington County Fair Association paid the farmer the $30 debt and hauled the merry-go-round home. It took two years for the Brenham Furniture Repair Company to refurbish the ride.
The wooden horses may not be thoroughbreds, but they do have pedigree. The ponies were hand-carved by the Charles W. Dare Company, manufacturers of hobby horses and wooden toys. Most of the horses are distinctively frozen in a running position with flowing manes and tails.
The turning mechanism was built by the C.W. Parker Company of Leavenworth, Kansas. The company was one of the leading producers of carousels in the country in the early 20th century. This carousel is unique in that it has a floating floor, whereas most rides have a track under the floor. On this one all of the mechanics are overhead, giving the floor a buoyant feel.
Soon after the carousel was installed in the park on Brenham’s north side, the aging ride was encased in a 16-sided building constructed by the Works Progress Administration. The awning windows swing open, letting the summer breeze cool the galloping ponies.
The opening of the Flying Horses Antique Carousel means that spring can’t be far behind. The carousel is in Fireman’s Park at 901 N. Park St. in Brenham. The merry-go-round season goes March 1 to Oct. 31 from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays, and on Sundays from March 1 through May 31, 1pm to 4pm.
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This article appears in February 14 • 2025.
