The century-old Jantzen Beach Carousel, considered one of Oregon’s most endangered historic treasures threatened to be sold off in pieces, finally has a permanent home: The National Neon Sign Museum in The Dalles.
And yes, after a years-long restoration, people eventually will be able to ride the 82 carved wooden horses again.
The one-of-a-kind carousel that once delighted children starting in 1928 at Jantzen Beach Amusement Park on Hayden Island was hidden in a storage facility before it was donated to the statewide Restore Oregon preservation organization in 2017.
With the goal of securing the carousel’s longterm survival in Oregon, the nonprofit organization spent six years creating a detailed restoration plan. Earlier this year, its board of directors reviewed proposals from communities across the state to adopt and restore the carousel’s wooden horses, panels and decorative…
