Amusement Park News

The Rocky Springs Carousel Association in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has secured a permanent home for the historic Rocky Springs Carousel. Dedicated to preserving the 1924 Dentzel carousel, the association has spent decades searching for the right location.

That search has now led to the Choo Choo Barn Foundation in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. The project is in its early stages, with architectural design and exhibit planning underway. Still, Rocky Springs Carousel Association President Tracy Artus emphasized the significance of the find, calling it “a really famous Dentzel carousel” that carousel enthusiasts around the world are eager to see operating again.

Gary Russell, president of the Choo Choo Barn Foundation, is planning a broader redevelopment that may include relocating the Choo Choo Barn itself within Strasburg. His vision includes moving the foundation's train displays and workshop, along with adding food and beverage offerings and new attractions for children. Central to those plans is the carousel, which will be paired with a history museum featuring memorabilia from the former Rocky Springs Amusement Park, where the carousel once operated.



Russell said his goal is to keep this piece of Lancaster County history “alive.” He described the carousel as more than an attraction, noting that “this is going to be much more than just a carousel. It's going to be the centerpiece.” He estimates it will take two to three years before the carousel is fully restored and ready for public operation, including time for restoration work and fundraising.

The carousel was once a major feature of Rocky Springs Amusement Park in West Lampeter Township, Pennsylvania. The park closed after business declined following the death of owner Joe Figari.

The carousel last operated publicly in 1984 during an auction of the park's assets. Although the carousel itself was not for sale, it remained a popular attraction for visitors attending the auction.

In 1990, the carousel was moved to Dollywood in Tennessee. A group of Lancaster County residents later brought it back to Pennsylvania nine years later, determined to preserve this important part of local heritage.


Today, after 26 years in private storage, many of the carousel's animals are being publicly displayed, offering a preview of their future home in Strasburg.

The carousel includes 48 carved animals, some created by master carver Gustav Dentzel. Dentzel, who immigrated from Germany, founded the G.A. Dentzel Company and is known for iconic works such as the King Arthur Carousel in Disneyland's Fantasyland, which has operated since 1955.




Among the Rocky Springs Carousel figures are a lion, rooster, giraffe, hunting dog, and deer. These pieces have been carefully cleaned and are now displayed alongside other elements from the original ride, including a jester figure and decorative mirrors. Together, they highlight the craftsmanship and artistry of the carousel.

The exhibition also includes a section dedicated to the carousel's time at Dollywood, including references to Dolly Parton, who Artus noted rode both a carousel horse and a tiger during its time there.




A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the exhibit was held on December 9, 2025. The display is located at the Steepleview Loft Building in downtown Lancaster and is presented by the Rocky Springs Carousel Association. The exhibit will remain in Lancaster for several years while plans for the carousel's permanent installation in Strasburg are completed.

The gallery is designed to give visitors a sense of connection to the carousel's history. Artus said the goal is for the public to experience the pieces up close and “feel like they're part of that excitement.”

“It was time to get them out to the public,” she said, adding that visitors have been impressed by both the condition and craftsmanship of the animals. Russell described his own reaction as being “blown away” by their beauty and preservation.

Russell ultimately plans to restore the carousel to full operation at the Choo Choo Barn, allowing visitors to experience it much as it was enjoyed in the early 20th century. He hopes the project will give Lancaster County residents a renewed sense of pride and provide an opportunity for families to create new memories. As he put it, the goal is for “kids and adults to ride it, and for parents and grandparents to remember what it was like when it was in operation.”



In the meantime, visitors can view the carousel animals on display and even contribute to their preservation. The Rocky Springs Carousel Association is offering an “adopt-an-animal” program, with four levels ranging from $250 to $2,500. Donors are recognized with signage next to their chosen animal, receive an adoption certificate, and may name the animal for the year. Half-year adoption options are also available.