Cafesjian’s Carousel at Como Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota - Encircle Photos

Cafesjian’s Carousel at Como Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Who can resist climbing aboard one of 68 carved wooden horses then spinning around to the delightful tunes of a Wurlitzer band organ? Nobody! The story of this carousel began in 1914 when Austin MacFadden order number 33 from the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. It swirled around the Minnesota State Fair for nearly 75 years. In 1988, the merry-go-round was doomed to be auctioned off in pieces. Fortunately, it was saved by a non-profit group called Our Fair Carousel. The ride’s namesake is Gerard L. Cafesjian. His generous donation kept the volunteer-operated ride in Minnesota and found a new home at Como Park. Cafesjian was a former executive of West Publishing. His other philanthropy credits included creating two foundations plus an arts center in Yerevan, Armenia.

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Cafesjian’s Carousel at Como Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota

1245 Midway Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55103

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