The tale of the tenacious Kit Carson County Carousel

Photos and story by Malena Larsen

There isn’t much you can get for 25 cents in today’s world. But in Burlington, you can experience a piece of history for just that. The small town on the eastern border of the state is home to the Kit Carson County Carousel, a National Historic Landmark. All you need is a quarter to take a nostalgic spin.

The carousel that’s nestled within the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds is also known as PCT#6, as it was the sixth carousel built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PCT).

“This carousel is 119 years old this year,” carousel tour guide Kim Driscoll announces to the group of parents, children, a few stragglers, and me.

This carousel's home wasn't always Burlington. Originally, it was purchased by Elitch Gardens in Denver and operated there from 1905 to 1927. When Elitch Gardens upgraded to a carousel with animals that jumped rather than remaining stationary, they sold the PCT#6 to Kit Carson County in 1928 for $1,200.

This was a steep price for the time, and it cost the county commissioners who approved the purchase their jobs. They made the decision without the support of the community, which felt the purchase was frivolous. None of the three men were ever re-elected.

“That $1,200 purchased the 46 animals and four chariots that you still see on the carousel to this day,” Driscoll shares. “There are 46 oil paintings encompassing the inner workings of the carousel.”

Within those intricately painted walls is a 1902, 10-horsepower General Electric induction motor. Despite its age, the motor has never been replaced or rebuilt.

Not every piece of the carousel remains as it was originally. It was not operational between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression, when the space was repurposed to store wheat and grain.

“If you know anything about wheat and grain,” says Driscoll, “it brings in mice, rats, pigeons—the whole nine yards.”

In 1936, the carousel was cleaned up and brought back into operation. However, the pests had chewed up the tubing that kept the organ working, so a record player was used instead. It wasn’t until 1976 that the organ was fully restored.

“You’ll be listening to a 1909 Wurlitzer Monster Military Band Organ as we go around,” Driscoll says. The Monster Military Band Organ contains 255 pipes, including bass and snare drums and cymbals.

In addition to the organ, there have been other restorations and updates made to the carousel, including the oil paintings, the paint on the animals, and the building that surrounds it. The restoration was completed 25 years later, in 2001.

During the restoration efforts, the carousel faced further challenges. In May 1981, repairmen discovered that three of its horses and a donkey had been stolen. The animals were recovered from a warehouse in Salina, Kansas, several months later, and two people were charged in connection with the theft. The stolen animals were returned to the carousel in a horse trailer.

Rehoming, restorations, theft, pest infestations, the Great Depression, taxpayer doubt—the Kit Carson County Carousel has faced numerous trials. Yet today, it stands vibrant, restored, lively, and loved.

“It’s special to me,” Driscoll shares. “I grew up here in Burlington; I grew up riding the carousel.”

Take a trip to eastern Colorado through rolling hills and vibrant fields of sunflowers, corn, and wheat to discover this unexpected treasure. The PCT#6 carousel can be ridden, and the museum is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Don’t forget to bring a dollar to explore the museum and 25 cents to enjoy a ride on the carousel.