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A display at Liberty Lake Elementary School (shown at left) features the history of the Herschell-Spillman merry-go-round that operated in Liberty Lake for 35 years. Darlene Stokke loaned the carousel horse that she inherited from her mother and had displayed in her home.
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Parting Shots: Historical carousel horse on display at LLES
11/24/2014 4:05:50 PM
Photo courtesy of Ross Schneidmiller
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By Valerie Putnam
Splash Contributor
Liberty Lake Elementary is showcasing a special piece of history this year as part of its annual historic display. The display features a carousel horse from the original Herschell-Spillman "merry-go-round" that operated in Liberty Lake for 35 years.
The horse is on loan to the school from Darlene Stokke. Stokke's family has been in possession of unique memento for over 50 years. Darlene found the horse in her mother's basement and displayed it for over 25 years in her living room. After recently selling her home, Darlene decided to loan it to the community.
"I wanted the horse to be some place where people can enjoy it," Stokke said.
According to local historian Ross Schneidmiller, the horse was originally a gift to Darlene's mother from Don Betch, the last manager for Liberty Lake Park.
"We're just very fortunate the horse stayed in the community," Schneidmiller said. "Darlene loved the idea of the community being able to enjoy it as she has enjoyed it."
Though an authentic historical piece, the history of the horse is questionable. The horse is known to be carved in 1913 by the Herschel-Spillman company, the same year the carousel was originally purchased.
"There is a little bit of a mystery about the horse," Schneidmiller said. "But I strongly believe when the carousel was purchased and installed in Liberty Lake, this horse was part of it."
Herschell-Spillman horses are known for the eyes being carved into the wood instead of using jewels. They are also known for real horse hair tails, which this horse is currently missing.
"We plan to add a real horse hair tail throughout the season," Schneidmiller said, who also plans to replace a missing horseshoe.
The horse is what Schneidmiller describes as an inside row "stander," which means it did not go up and down. Being an inside row carousel animal, the horse has a simple design, not as ornate as the outside row animals.
"The beauty is in its simplicity," Schneidmiller said. "You get to see the beauty of the natural horse."
To display the horse, Steve "Ras" Rasmussen sanded a large piece of butcher, put an edge on it and mounted a bracket. Schneidmiller's sister-in-law Kari Knudsen painted the block with a patina and antiqued a black pole. The 18-foot school display features old photographs, including a 6-foot picture of the carousel donated by Mountain Dog Sign Company.
The horse was ready to install early November.
"Different people stepped forward in the community to help with the stand," Schneidmiller said. "After it comes out of the school, I see that picture going into some sort of community space."
Ross and his wife Kelli Schneidmiller have been creating displays since the school opened with themes such as camps and camping, boating and the history of Liberty Lake schools. Liberty Lake Elementary Principal Joanne Comer said the Schneidmillers work hard every year to share a bit of Liberty Lake history with students, families, staff and community members.
"I love the display," Comer said. "As a history buff myself, I love learning about the history of the carousel and its place in history at Liberty Lake. This year it is especially fun for the youngest students with the real carousel horse!"
After the holidays, ASB students at the school plan to implement a "Name the Carousel Horse" contest. The Schneidmillers also hope to develop an educational program around the carousel display to showcase where it's been and where it is now.
"We're looking forward to this and feel it would be an outstanding learning opportunity for our students," Comer said.
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Photo courtesy of Ross Schneidmiller
A sign about the entrance of the Liberty Lake Café that originally housed the Herschel-Spillman Carousel read, "Merry-Go-Round: A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever."
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HISTORY OF THE CAROUSEL
The Herschell-Spillman Carousel is part of Liberty Lake Park's rich history. Michael Damascus purchased the park property in 1926 and transformed the property into a carnival atmosphere with games of chance, a Ferris Wheel and a ride called the "Dangler." One year later, he purchased and installed the carousel initially in the Liberty Lake Cafe building. Eventually a special octagonal building became the permanent structure for the carousel.
The carousel operated in Liberty Lake for 35 years before it was sold for $5,000 in 1962. It was dismantled and sent to Tacoma, with the exception of the display horse. In 1973, The Henry Ford Museum purchased the carousel for $27,000. After decades of operation, the carousel was given a "historically-correct restoration" by restorer Tony Orlando.
The carousel features 40 carved animals including 22 horses and 18 menagerie figures. There are 32 jumpers (animals that go up and down on a pole) and 8 stationary animals. Fully restored, the carousel is operating at the museum's Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mich.
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