C.W.Parker Carousel Museum

Our History

In 1892 Parker bought a used Armitage/Herschell track machine and operated it until 1894 when he built his own track machine and started the C.W. Parker factory in Abilene, KS.  

Parker went from track machine to the jumping carousels, from steam to electric. The carving on the horses began to get more fanciful through the years as he continued to grow.  By 1905 Parker had four full-sized carnivals on tour throughout the country.  

In 1911 Parker began moving to a new much larger factory he was building in Leavenworth.   This is where he built hundreds of small traveling carousels that were used by carnivals worldwide.  He also built five large, extravagant "park" machines, designed to be permanently installed in large amusement parks.  Only one of those five is still in existence in Jantzen Beach Mall, Portland Oregon.

Learn all about C.W. Parker and more a the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum and Gift Shop.