Cass County Dentzel Carrousel in Logansport, Indiana

The Cass County Dentzel Carousel in Logansport, Indiana, is a historic, hand-carved carousel built by the Dentzel Carousel Company, likely around 1900, and is a National Historic Landmark. It features stationary, hand-carved animals, and is famous for its brass ring tradition, where riders can try to catch a brass ring for a free ride. It is one of the company’s oldest surviving menagerie-style carousels, with animals likely hand-carved by George Dentzel. Housed in a modern building in Riverside Park, it operates seasonally, with a miniature train also available.

The carrousel features 43 animals, including horses, deer, goats, giraffes, a lion, and a tiger, all hand-carved by the Dentzel company. There are also 2 chariots with two 2-seat benches each. 

The carrousel is also famous for its brass ring tradition. The carousel includes its original mechanism for dispensing rings. An arm extends from the carousel to offer riders the chance to grab a brass ring for a free ride. 

Music plays from an organ in the middle of the carrousel next to the power plant.

Originally from Fort Wayne, it was moved to Logansport in 1919 and is one of only three stationary Dentzel carousels left in the country. The exact construction date of the carousel is not known. It has been estimated to have been built c. 1900–1903, but may be older. In 1993, it underwent a complete restoration in which its original paint job was restored.