Historic carousel comes full circle

A 1922 hand-carved carousel spent more than 30 years in Coeur d'Alene, from 1942 to 1975.

Forty years after it was sold from its location at Playland Pier, now known as Independence Point, the carousel will have a home in Coeur d'Alene once again.

The Coeur d'Alene Carousel Foundation is hosting a Community Open House on March 5. The public will have an opportunity to view some of the ponies, art panels and etched floor tiles while learning the detailed history of the carousel from local historian Robert Singletary.

"The idea is to let the public see it," said Cari Fraser, president of the foundation. "A lot of people don't know what it is or where it came from."

Five years ago, the newly formed Carousel Foundation obtained the carousel from John and Pat Foote of Coeur d'Alene, who purchased it for $250,000 and gifted it to the foundation.

Prior to its purchase by the Footes, it had disappeared to "destinations unknown" for a time before resurfacing at an auction in Puyallup in the mid-1980s, then continued to travel for many years.

After obtaining the carousel, the foundation looked for the "perfect place" in Coeur d'Alene to put it. In October of 2015, after the area between Memorial Field and City Park were approved as part of the "Four Corners" project, the carousel was approved for a location in front of the Memorial Field grandstand.

"They say what makes a carousel work is being close to parks and people, good exposure, near water," Fraser said. "We believe Four Corners is perfect because of the history and heritage of that area that the city is developing, and bringing the history back to the people of Coeur d'Alene is what our goal is."

The foundation began fundraising for the new location, putting the ponies and art panels up for "adoption." The etched floor tiles can be purchased as well, with three sizes available where donors can display a message, business, or create a combination of tiles. Other naming opportunities are available as well, such as benches and fence panels.

"We are going to do whatever we can to acknowledge every dollar that gets received," Fraser said. "There is a lot of opportunity for people to get involved and really help create this legacy."

The foundation's goal is $450,000 for building and lease costs. Local businessman Bud Ford pledged $200,000 and with the $75,000 the foundation has raised, they are more than halfway to that goal.

Fraser said they hope to break ground at the new location this summer with the possibility of a grand opening in 2016.

The March 5 open house is from noon to 3 p.m. at the Northern Pacific Railroad Building, 201 N. Third St., downtown Coeur d'Alene.

For more information, photos and an opportunity to make donations, visit www.cdacarousel.com.