George F. Johnson Recreation Park Carousel Explained

George F. Johnson Recreation Park Carousel
Location:George F. Johnson Recreation Park, Binghamton, New York
Coordinates:42.0992°N -75.9339°W
Built:1925
Architect:Herschell, Allan, Co.
Added:January 25, 1992
Area:less than one acre
Refnum:91001967

The George F. Johnson Recreation Park Carousel is a historic carousel located at Binghamton in Broome County, New York. The carousel and its pavilion were built in 1925. The carousel is housed in a wooden, one story, 16-sided, pavilion topped by a cupola. The carousel has 60 horses standing four abreast, each of which is a "jumper," and two chariots. It was constructed by the Allan Herschell Company and contains its original Wurlitzer Military Band Organ. The carousel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

This carousel, the gazebo, and the entire Recreation Park served as inspiration for Binghamton native Rod Serling's classic Twilight Zone episode "Walking Distance", as noted in a bronze plaque honoring Serling in the floor of the gazebo,[1] . There are also paintings depicting memorable scenes from The Twilight Zone on the carousel.[2]

This is one of six carousels donated to the citizens of Broome County by George F. Johnson (1857–1948), president of Endicott Johnson Corporation.[3] The others, located in the Greater Binghamton Region, are:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Recreation Park Carousel . visitbinghamton.org . August 20, 2022.
  2. News: Carousel . 4A . Valerie . Zehl . . . August 22, 2011 . August 20, 2022 . newspapers.com.
  3. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration: George F. Johnson Recreation Park Carousel. June 1991. 2009-11-20 . Kathleen LaFrank. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. See also: Web site: Accompanying eight photos.