Columbia (carousel)
| Columbia | |
|---|---|
 .jpg) Top to bottom: Carousel Columbia at California's Great America, Columbia Carousel at Six Flags Great America | |
| California's Great America | |
| Name | Carousel Columbia |
| Area | Celebration Plaza |
| Status | Operating |
| Cost | $1,500,000 |
| Opening date | March 20, 1976 |
| Six Flags Great America | |
| Name | Columbia Carousel |
| Area | Carousel Plaza |
| Status | Operating |
| Cost | $1,500,000 |
| Opening date | May 29, 1976 |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Carousel |
| Manufacturer | Chance Rides |
| Model | Double-Decker Carousel |
| Height | 100–101 ft (30–31 m) |
| Vehicles | Over 100 |
| Riders per vehicle | 1 per animal; 6 per bench |
| Previously known as | The Columbia |
Carousel Columbia and Columbia Carousel are a pair of double-decker carousels at California's Great America in Santa Clara, California, and Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, respectively. The California carousel is the tallest carousel in the world at 101 feet (31 m) tall, while the Illinois carousel is 100 feet (30 m) tall.[1][2]
Originally opening as the Columbia in 1976, the double-decker carousels were built as original rides under the Marriott Corporation, as both parks used to have near identical layouts. Both parks are now owned by the Six Flags Entertainment Corporation following the merger Cedar Fair who was the owner of California's Great America, and Six Flags who was the owner of Six Flags Great America.[3]
History
As part of the original plans for both Marriott's Great America theme parks in Santa Clara, California and Gurnee, Illinois, two identical double-decker carousels named the Columbia serve as the centerpiece for entrances of both parks.[4] The carousel in Santa Clara opened on March 20, 1976, as the tallest carousel in the world. The carousel in Gurnee opened on May 29, 1976, as the second tallest in the world.[5][6]
In 1994, Santa Clara's Columbia received some minor renovations for its appearance in the movie Beverly Hills Cop III, filmed at the theme park.[7]
Design
The original design of the carousel, then named "The Columbia", was carried out by Randall Duell Associates. Additional scrollwork and decorations were designed by Chris Mueller.[8]
Each of the 103 horses and animals on the carousels is a replica of one of the world's most famous carved carousel animals.[9] A large reflecting pond was installed in front of each carousel with historic replicas of American flags flying along the sides of the pond.
Sixteen original oil paintings by George Gibson are installed on each carousel, depicting scenes from American history.[9] Kris Rowberry publicized the fact, originally from the press release, that elements from Carousel Columbia were originally used on the sets of the films Marie Antoinette (1938) and The Swan (1956).[8][10]
At 101 ft (31 m) tall, the Carousel Columbia in Santa Clara is the tallest carousel in the world. The sister Columbia Carousel in Gurnee stands just one foot shorter at 100 ft (30 m).[10] The two sister carousels may be distinguished by the color of the roof – the Carousel Columbia in California is painted gold, while the Columbia Carousel in Illinois is green – and the flooring – the upper-level of Gurnee's carousel has carpet, while Santa Clara's has a wood floor.[3]
The Columbia is often associated with the Carousel Song, written especially for the Marriott's Great America theme parks by Gene Patrick. The Carousel Song plays at the Santa Clara park periodically throughout the day and plays at the Gurnee park when the park closes.[11]
Animals
Seating on the carousel consists of the following 106 fiberglass replicas:[8]
- 88 horses (82 jumping and 6 standing)
- 3 chariots
- 1 camel
- 1 giraffe
- 1 lion
- 1 tiger
- 1 dragon
- 1 deer
- 1 seahorse
- 2 jumping ostriches
- 2 jumping pigs
- 2 jumping cats
- 2 jumping rabbits
The horses include cavalry-style horses, Parker horses, Dentzel horses, and the 1928 "Silver Anniversary Horse" originally carved for the 25th anniversary of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (found on the Gurnee carousel only). The original 1928 armored horse is displayed in the Circus Hall of Fame. The chariots are replicas of chariots originally carved in 1918 by Daniel Carl Muller.[8]
Gallery
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Carousel Columbia at California's Great America -
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Columbia Carousel at Six Flags Great America -
Carousel Columbia (2014) -
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Columbia Carousel (2011) -
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Carousel Columbia at night (2016) -
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Columbia Carousel at night (2014) -
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Jumping horses on Carousel Columbia -
Columbia Carousel during Holiday in the Park (2020)
References
- ^ "worlds tallest carousel". Great American Thrills. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
- ^ "World's tallest carousel". California's Great America.
- ^ a b Mims, Jenae (2019-07-22). "Carousel Columbia--The World's Tallest Carousel". California's Great America. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
- ^ "Action in the Horses Latitudes". The News. November 27, 1975.
- ^ "Double-Decker Carousel | Carousel Columbia | California's Great America". www.cagreatamerica.com. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ "Columbia Carousel | Family Ride | Six Flags Great America". Six Flags. Retrieved 2025-07-21.
- ^ Rowberry, Kris (3 March 2014). "Beverly Hills Cop 3 Filmed at Great America 20 Years Ago". Great American Thrills. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ a b c d Pomiriroo, John (1976). "The World's Grandest Carousel" (Press release). Santa Clara, California: Marriott's Great America. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ a b "Columbia Carousel". Six Flags Great America. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ a b Rowberry, Kris (6 August 2014). "Carousel Columbia at California's Great America is a part of Hollywood". Great American Thrills. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ "Columbia". GREATAMERICAparks.com. 2018-03-12. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
External links
