History

Yet another carousel came to Ontario Beach Park in 1892. It was a Leopold-Long Carousel #3. This carousel was completed shortly after George Long’s birth on April 27, 1892. The Carousel was a three-row model with a lion, giraffes, camels, goats, zebras, and chariots, in addition to horses sported eagle-back saddles. The Carousel was operated by a steam engine while at Ontario Beach Park.

A man named William Cottman of Sylvan Beach would later own this carousel. How he found the Sylvan Beach Carousel is unknown. He did have family in Rochester, New York, and could have been visiting them when he came to Ontario Beach Park and saw what would later become known as Cottman’s Carousel. He may have seen the advertisement in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. The ad noted “For Sale – the large and handsome merry-go-round now running at Ontario Beach. Address Long, Merry-Go-Round, Charlotte, NY.” The ad appeared Sunday, June 28, 1896, and may have appeared for more than one issue of the newspaper. 

William Cottman of Sylvan Beach eyed the Carousel in 1896 and purchased it for his park, which was located on the southern Oneida Lake, just East of Syracuse, NY. An interesting coincidence is that Ontario Beach Park was known once as the Coney Island of Western New York, while Sylvan Beach was often referred to as the Coney Island of Central New York. Both were also known for their beach, bathing, and steamboats. Sylvan Beach was also called Beacon Beach, Spencer Beach, and Fish Creek. The Lehigh Valley Railroad brought patrons into the park. There was a good-sized midway with a Ferris wheel, Shoot the Shoots, Mystery House, Fun House, and, of course, the Carousel. Live entertainment and a huge display of fireworks added to the excitement.

A gasoline engine from an old Chevy was later used to power the Carousel, and in 1914 it was converted to electricity. When the first automobile came along, changes began. Their existence changed the park. Train business slowed in the 1920s. Hotels declined; cottages increased as summer homes for mobile families. Not all changes were good for the area. In the 1960s pollution darkened the lake’s surface, concerning residents and bringing frustration. But the Carousel circled in spite of all the controversies. It was a colorful one, which reflected society while entertaining children. All the animals had names at one time, giving it a personality. Whether you were riding Leo the Lion, Ali Baba the Camel, or horses named Man-O-War, Silver, Scout or Tarzan, you were meeting a good friend. If you liked color, you would find it all —— the pink goat that was missing its horns, the giraffe without spots, pink and light yellow prancers, black chargers, and the traditional cream, buff, and gray. Music was plentiful —— with a beautiful Wurlitzer 153 band organ. And there was a ring machine.

In 1971, the Carousel stopped taking its regular path. It had been for sale three years prior to that, but it took one interested customer to get the prize: 46 animals, the band organ, starter bell, side panels and rounding boards, brass rings, the ticket seller’s desk, 1961 office safe, and a pinball machine. Its new owners referred to the Carousel as the cream de la cream of carousels. But the carousel didn’t stay complete for long. Animals were sold off. Cottman’s Carousel was no more, and both Coney Islands lost an important piece of their history. 

The roundhouse at Sylvan Beach still exists, painted maroon with gray trim. It is similar to the OBP roundhouse, now housing an amusement center. The Carousel lives on, partly because its frame has never left. It now houses aluminum horses, pigs, roosters, dogs, rabbits, camels, reindeers, goats, zebras and chariots made by Theel Manufacturing circa 1971. The animals just circle, not jump, like the more modern Theel carousels, since the frame still continues to be stationary, just like when it was at Ontario Beach. Through time, the ride has changed from Cottman’s Carousel to Carello’s Carousel. Arcade games surround the Carousel, making the machine seem cramped among the other amusements.

Carousel History: Ontario Beach Park, NY

By Linda Bartash-Dawley

©Linda Bartash-Dawley 2001