Having rested, 
it
was off to see what else was about. I had to smile as I came upon the
biggest Radio Flyer I have ever seen. I had one of the originals in my
garage for years. This oversized replica comes complete with a slide built
into the handle, swing bars under the bed and a ladder in the rear to climb up
into the wagon. The kids were all over it and seem to be quite impressed. The
plaque dated August 18, 1990 reads: "This sculpture is dedicated to
Spokane's children, as a reflection of the past, created in the
present, to last into the future." - The Junior League of Spokane. This led
us to the 3rd great attraction of the park, but for me, it is the very top thing
to see. Ahhh, but I am older and still remember a small park in my distant
past with a "merry-go-round", the old time name for a carrousel.
When small towns entertained the traveling circus of Barnum and Bailey, I 
remember
pulling on my father's arm for just one more nickel to ride the horses of the
carrousel they erected on the midway. What an adventure, charging up untold
hills to meet a yet unidentified enemy. I remember my mother's frown as I defiantly
reached for the ring designed for much older riders. Those were the days.
All these thoughts came back as I watched the speeding horses and other animals
spinning by, while the gaily playing music filled the air. A wonderful
carrousel - I stood there mesmerized by the sight and sound. When I had
finally had my fill, I took a walk around the room to be sure I had seen
everything there was to see. On a wall near the entrance
I found a series of placards that told the story of the carrousel. It
seems that Charles I.D. Looff was a well-to-do immigrant in the amusement
business who was also a master carver. Using a team of fire horses as an
inspiration he 
carved
all the horses in his Rhode Island factory, after visiting Spokane's Natatorium
Park. A total of 54 horses, one giraffe, a tiger and two dragon chairs
were cut out of Chinese Elm and balsam. He personally carved the 6 black
horses. Each horse is different in detail yet exact in the number of nails in
its shoes and the teeth to indicate its age. Each has its own specially
carved and fitted harness with inlayed, imported German cut glass. Two years
later, when he presented them to the amusement park they loved his work, but
balked at the 
$20,000
price tag. Louis Vogel, his son-in-law, who was with him at the time
offered to take over the operations of the merry-go-round and the other
concessions in the park if Looff would install the ride. It opened on July
18, 1909 and ran successfully until 1968 when the park closed. After that
the ride was dismantled and put away until a grass roots campaign was started
to bring the ride back. In 1975 the ride started up again in its present
building in Riverfront Park, where it has run ever since. It is an absolute
masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. There were many more things in
the park to hold the interest of kid and adult alike. There are many art
structures including the one near the middle which was made up of several
fountains along with a kind of shower which was a great place for the kids to run
though. No barriers, no rails, just water and fun. We sat for a
while to watch them play. It did seem like quite fun. If you ever
have an afternoon free, stop by Riverfront Park and enjoy the place.
***THE END***
