Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz , CA In 1911, one of the greatest carousel carvers of all time, Charles I.D. Looff, delivered a shimmering new carousel to the Boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Looff Carousel is a National Historic Landmark and local treasure. The hand-carved merry-go-round has been turning children’s seaside dreams into golden memories since 1911.
Three antique band organs are a special highlight of the Looff Carousel. The Boardwalk’s original Ruth & Sohn band organ has played alongside the carousel since 1911. The fully-restored antique received a beautiful new facade in 2009. In addition to the original Ruth organ, a rare Wurlitzer 165 band organ from the former Playland-at-the Beach amusement park in San Francisco now shares playing time with the Ruth. A smaller Wurlitzer 146 was added to the collection in 2011.
Token Machine 3 designs are:
1) Chrome color token 'Loof Cerousel 1911', Image of Carousel, Rear- 'Souvenir of Santa Cruz, California, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk' logo
2) Copper color token 'Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Looff Carousel, Celebrating 100 Years of Carousel Magic, Rear- '1911 - 2011, 100 Years', Horse head in middle
3) Brass color token Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Merry Go Round 1911', Carousel Logo, Rear- 'Souvenir of Santa Cruz, California, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk' logo
4) Brass color token 'Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 100 Years, Millions of Memories', Rear- 'Souvenir of Santa Cruz, California, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk' logo
The 100 Years token & the Merry Go Round fronts are duplicates to the retired ones but the backs are different. The others are new.
Retired Tokens 1, & 2 designs were:
Retired Token 1) Brass color token; Front; 'Haunted Castle 2010, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk', Rear; 'Souvenir of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz California' with star border
Retired Token 2) Brass color, 'Merry Go Round (In arched banner under image of horses and carousel) EST 1911, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk'/ Rear; 'Souvenir of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz California' with star border
There are two more four token machines on the Boardwalk. They are in Neptune's Kingdom Arcade and in Boardwalk Casino Arcade.
3/16: Carousel token different. Horsehead token retired. GSY
9/17: New 4 Token Machine 4 installed here.
7/30/24: Same medallions, all dispensing fine. All golden.RK |