Heritage Burnaby

C.W. Parker Carousel. Hand-carved wooden carousel built in Leavenworth, Kansas in 1912. Today, the carousel carries 36 horses, four cast aluminum ponies, a chariot, and a wheelchair. The carousel is housed in the Don Wrigely Pavilion at the Burnaby Village Museum and is in operation during the museum's open hours.

This carousel was built in 1912 at Leavenworth Kansas by C.W. Parker and was the 119th one made by them. It was originally sold in 1913 to Mr. F.K. Leggett of Houston Texas for $5,886.00 and was originally equipped with a steam engine and "wishbones/grass-hopper/jumping horse" mechanisms. It toured Texas for two years with the Lone Star Circus then in 1915 the machine was shipped back to the factory. It is believed that the machine was rebuilt by the factory, had some fancier horses and heavier rounding boards added. The jumping mechanism may have been changed then as well. Some of the horses are c.1917 and some 1920-22. The factory records consulted do not tell for certain where they machine went between 1915 and 1936, possibly to San Jose, CA from 1918 until 1922 and then to San Francisco California, or in Tacoma, Washington. In 1936 it was purchased, and was in operation at Happlyland in Vancouver by May 1936. The Parker #119 was put into a pavilion which had been built in 1928 by a rival company (Philadelphia Toboggan Company - P.T.C.) And was located next to the "Shoot the Chutes" ride. Here it remained until Happyland was demolished in 1957. Parker #119 was moved to the new small pavilion in Playland until that too was demolished in 1972. From 1972 to 1989, Parker #119 was operated outdoors, and was put away each winter. In 1989 it was announced that the carousel would be sold off horse by horse at an auction in New York. Ms. Venus Solano and Mr. Doug McCalum and other local people came together to "Save the Carousel" and formed the "Friends of the Vancouver Carousel Society". In May 1989, Burnaby Village Museum agreed to provide a home for the carousel and the "Friends", led by President Don Wrigley, set about raising the $350,000 to purchase the machine. Keith Jamieson, a carousel expert, was brought in to coordinate the rebuilding project. With a lot of hard work, the help of the Government of British Columbia and the support of the Municipality of Burnaby, the carousel was purchased. Funds were also raised to pay for the restoration, and Burnaby agreed to build a new pavilion for it as a Centennial project.

Registration data plate cast in brass. Plate gives the registration number for the carousel and the manufacturers name along with the address of the offices and factory. The serial number of the carousel is stamped into the plate. The text is raised letters and the background is painted black. The plate is curved to fit the centre post of the carousel. It is attached by two bolts, the holes are on each side of the plate. Measurements 16 cm wide X 7.8 cm. high.

The C.W. Parker carousel was built in 1912 at Leavenworth Kansas by C.W. Parker. It was originally sold in 1913 to Mr. F.K. Leggett of Houston Texas for $5,886.00 and was originally equipped with a steam engine and "wishbones/grass-hopper/jumping horse" mechanisms. It toured Texas for two years with the Lone Star Circus then in 1915 the machine was shipped back to the factory.It is believed that the machine was rebuilt by the factory, had some fancier horses and heavier rounding boards added. The jumping mechanism may have been changed then as well. Some of the horses are c.1917 and some 1920-22. The factory records consulted by museum researchers do not specify where the carousel went between 1915 and 1936. It was possibly in San Jose, CA from 1918 until 1922 and then in San Francisco California, or in Tacoma, Washington. In 1936 it was purchased by Happyland in Vancouver and was in operation by May of that year. After Happyland was demolished in 1957, the carousel was moved to a new small pavilion at Playland. In 1989 the "Friends of the Vancouver Carousel Society" was formed to save the carousel. The Burnaby Village Museum agreed to provide a home for the carousel and the "Friends" set about raising the $350,000 to purchase the machine. Funds were also raised to pay for the restoration, and Burnaby agreed to build a new pavilion for it as a Centennial project.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 9, "Mignonette." "American Beauty Rose" style horse, stretched out jumper, arched neck, head tucked in, ears upright, facing back. Colour: Grey-white. Trappings: Red brown stippled saddle, gold bordered. Pink roses on back of cantle. Rose saddle skirt, yellow drape with gold border inset with emerald jewels, and sprays of wild pink roses with ruby facetted jewel centres, surrounded by green leaves. More rose sprays fore and aft of the drape, with emerald cabochon stones between. Rose breast collar with yellow bow with rose spray, centred with ruby jewels, breast plate with clear centre jewel. Rose bridle, with emerald green jewel in gold concho. Another wild rose spray on neck, as above.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Name: "Named after Mignon Uter (nee Coe), a Burnaby pioneer who came here in 1918, residing at 2684 Fern Avenue, with parents James and Elizabeth Coe." Sponsors: Ethel and Faye Stebner, and Ken Diamond.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 10, "Valiant." "Armoured Horse" style, stretched out jumper with legs extended, neck arched, head tucked in, ears erect and facing back, mouth open. Colour: Blue-black. Trappings: Medium reddish brown stippled saddle with gold trim. American shield on back of cantle. Antiqued silver armour plates on saddle blanket, bordered in gold and set with ruby facetted jewels. Three bronze saddle fenders set with sapphire jewels. Antiqued silver face and neckplate armour, trimmed in gold and copper, also with sapphire jewels. Red breast collar, gold trimmed with sapphire jewel in silver breast plate.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Name: Sponsor Paula V. Tanchyk notes: "He looked like a battle-horse, full of courage, so I thought the name Valiant suited him."

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 11, "Vivian." "Lillie Belle" style horse. Stretched out jumper with right foreleg extended. Neck arched, head tucked in, high-toss or "flaming" mane, ears erect and facing back, mouth open. Colour: Yellow-white. Trappings: - Dark green stippled saddle and saddle skirt with gold fringe and two light green jewels. Gold bell and blue and white lily (morning glory) on back of cantle. Mauve saddle fenders banded with gold, sapphire and emerald jewels (facetted and cabochons). Light violet breast collar gold trim and emerald jewels. Gold breastplate centred with sapphire jewel. Purple bridle with emerald triangular jewels, gold concho with sapphire jewel. Jewelled gold and green leaf design on shoulder. Cluster of grapes and leaves hanging from saddle on horse's hip, two emerald jewels in leaves.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Name: Sponsor Barbara Becher notes: "The horse was named in honour of my great-grandfather Capt. Becher who rode a horse by this name in the Grand National at Aintree, England where a jump, Becher's Brook, was named after him. Dedicated to the hard work and caring employees of Carlton Hospital and Carlton Lodge."

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 12, "Nareena." "Stargazer" style horse. Stretched out jumper, mouth open, ears back, head tossed up and back. Colour: Fleabitten (“fleabitten” is a term used to describe a horse’s coat that is speckled with tiny groups of darker hairs). Brown roan, white socks. Trappings: Medium dark brown stipple saddle, bordered in darker brown. Green leaves on back of cantle. Indian head and green leaf design on the rear of blue green saddle blanket bordered in silver with amethyst cabochon jewels. Brown toned eagle wing ahead of saddle and coming from the mid-yellow breast collar bordered in silver with amethyst jewels. Wolf pelt hair hanging from breast collar, with silver breast plate centred with amethyst jewel. Brown bridle with amethyst jewel in silver concho.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Sponsors: Gary, Umeeda and Nareena Switlo.Name: Named after his daughter, in memory of Gary Kornel Switlo.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 13, "Nipoti." "Flag" horse, jumper with front legs bent, erect neck and level head, mouth open ears back. Colour: Bay Ovaro Pinto. Trappings: Red brown stippled saddle, gold bordered. Green fern leaves on back of cantle. Green diamond quilted saddle blanket, bordered in gold. American flag unfurling from under the side of the saddle over the saddle blanket. Fifteen stars visible. Red breast collar trimmed with gold, green breast plate medallion bordered in gold. Red bridle with gold concho.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Name: "The name Nipoti is Italian for grandchildren - honouring our grandchildren who have Italian great-grandparents interlaced throughout our family tree. The Italian connection has its roots in the USA, where a great-grandmother lived, and from where (of different fami¬ly roots) a great grandfather emigrated." Coincidentally the US flag is prominently featured in the decoration of this horse. (Many are familiar with "nepotism," meaning favouritism shown to persons related to those in high office.) Sponsors: Bill and Ruth Copeland.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 14, "Mr. Ed." "Jumper" with bent front legs, arched erect neck, head semi-tucked in, mouth open, ears erect facing back, three sweeps of mane across neck. Colour: Palomino, white mane and tail. Trappings: Black-toned stippled saddle and fender bordered in silver. Two lions' heads on the back of the cantle. Turquoise and black blanket bordered with silver. Revolver hanging by black straps from back of saddle, silver rings and buckles. White, brown and blue toned feathers on shoulder under turquoise breast collar, with black trim, silver shell-shaped breast plate medallion. Silver bridle and concho with turquoise centre.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Name: Sponsor Ethel Stebner notes this horse is named: "In recognition of Edward A. Stebner, B.E.M, a dedicated volunteer to the restoration of the carousel from start to finish. He celebrated his 78th and 79th birthdays with the 'regu¬lars', and was affectionately known as Mr. Ed after the talking palomino of TV fame."

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 15, "Allegro." "Jumper" with back legs extended, front legs tucked under. Neck erect, semi-tucked in head, mouth open, erect ears facing back. Colour: Light bay with white stocking and blaze. Trappings: Off-white stipple saddle bordered in gold. Yellow roses behind cantle. Two blankets in two shades of light and dark green, bordered and striped in gold. Rose in back corner of darker blanket. Two brown-eyed susans and a sunflower hanging from saddle. Green and gold inverted acanthus leaf design on shoulder. Light green breast collar, trimmed in darker green. Iridescent white shell-shaped breast plate medallion. Dark green bri¬dle with gold concho.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Name: Allegro is the musical notation for fast and lively, a reflection of Hazel Sumner's musical career. "He wants children of all ages to ride him. We dedicate him for your enjoyment." Sponsors: Harry and Hazel Sumner.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 16, "John Ernest." "Cowboy" style stretched out juniper. Head and neck well forward, mouth open, ears back. Colour: Chestnut Sorrel, lighter mane and tail, white socks, semi-balk face and muzzle. Trappings: Ox-blood stippled saddle, dark brown border. Corn cob behind cantle with ladybug. Two shades of teal blue blanket, trimmed with gold and two sunflowers. Green, teal and gold inverted acanthus leaf design on shoulder. Teal blue breast collar bordered in gold, clear facetted jewel in central gold medallion of breast plate. Teal blue bridle with clear jewel in gold concho.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Name: "In loving memory of John Ernest Beaucamp, first Vancouver operator of this carousel, known affectionately as The Merry-Go-Round Man to thousands of children during the thirties and forties, and as 'Dad' to Gerald, Ernie and Joan." Sponsors: Ernie and Pat Beaucamp.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 17, "Betty B." "American Shield" horse, jumper with back legs extended, front legs bent, erect arched neck, head slightly forward and down, mouth open, ears erect and facing out. Colour: Brown black, with white socks and blaze. Trappings: Black toned & stippled saddle with red border. Golden retriever dog head behind cantle. Two light blue overlapping blankets bordered in red with silver fringes. American shield with silver trim and garland of gold oak leaves handing by red straps from rear of saddle. A spray of two wild roses and leaves on shoulder under breast collar. Pale blue breast collar with red border. Breast plate medallion is stylized American shield with gold trim. Red bridle with gold concho.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Sponsors: The Beedie Group. Name: Named for the wife of Keith Beedie, head of the Beedie Group, one of Greater Vancouver's most successful real estate and property management firms.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 18, "Bingo." "Hunter's Pride" style horse. Jumper with reached mane, back legs slightly extended, front legs bent, erect arched neck, head forward and slightly down, ears erect facing back, mouth open. This horse was painted to resemble "Big Ben," a Champion Canadian jumping horse. Colour: Chestnut with white socks on rear legs and white blaze. Trappings: Wedgwood blue stippled light racing saddle, and chincha with gold border and silver chincha ring. Fish behind cantle. Wedgwood blue neck collar bordered and buckled in gold. Gold bridle with wedgwood blue inset on brow band, silver concho.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Sponsor: Gordon Robson. Name: To honour "Bingo Hauser," owner of West Coast Amusements, who supplied the two vans and eight men for two days to move the horses from the PNE. "To honour a great showman."

Part of C.W. Parker Carousel, # 119. Carousel horse No. 1, "Captain Julius." "Jumper" style, back legs extended, erect neck, tucked-in head, mouth open, mane swept across neck, erect ears facing out to the side. This horse may not be a true Parker. It has been considered to be a Stein and Goldstein type. It may also be a "hybrid" with the larger and different style head usually found on Stein and Goldstein horses, although the nostrils are different. Some of the body carving (mane, forelock and trappings) are in the Parker style. Colour: Percheron type dapple grey, cream mane and tail.
Trappings: Black-toned stippled saddle and breast shield, with gold trim. Sea monster on the back of the cantle. Two blankets under the saddle in shades of blue turquoise, trimmed with gold and burgundy, gold fringes. Blue breast collar, burgundy trim. Steel colour armour on shoulder and lower blanket. Blue turquoise bridle with gold concho and amber jewel. Clear and amber, round or square facetted jewel.

Carousel horse. Part of the C.W. Parker Carousel on display at the Burnaby Village Museum. Name: Originally named Julius Caesar, this was the lead horse on the PNE Carousel. It was one of the horses transported in the Wrigley station wagon to all the fundraising events, and the Wrigleys sponsored this horse that they had become so attached to. The name comes from Chief Fund Raiser Don Wrigley's nickname among the volunteers as The Captain, and Julius because of Wrigley's penchant for quoting from Shakespeare. Sponsors: Don and Dorothy Wrigley and Family

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 19, "Dyck." "Jumper" with back legs slightly extended, front legs bent, erect arched neck, head slightly down, ears erect, mouth open. Colour: Dark liver chestnut, with lighter mane and tail, white front socks and blaze. Trappings: Dark reddish brown stippled saddle and fender bordered in black. Green fern leaves behind cantle. Teal blue centre inset has stylized flower design around the border. Teal blue blanket with pink trim and white stylized flower design in corner, and gold fringe. Pink wild rose hanging from edge of fringe. Green inverted acanthus leaf design on shoulder, with fold inset. Teal blue Breast collar bordered in pink, teal breast plate medallion bordered in gold. Teal blue bridle with gold concho.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 20, "Twister." "Flag" horse, jumper with back legs extended, front legs bent, erect arched neck, head slightly down, ears erect facing back, mouth open. Colour: Strawberry roan Appaloosa, variegated mane and tail, white blaze and socks. Trappings: Off-white stippled saddle and fender with gold border. Green fern leaves on the back of the cantle, American flag on the horse's hip, 42 stars showing. Light green blanket bordered with gold. White, brown and grey blue feathers on shoulder forward of saddle. Dark green breast collar with gold border, green, red and gold patterned medallion on breast plate. Dark green bridle with gold concho.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 21, "Centennial." "Jumper" with back legs extended, front legs bent, erect neck, tucked in head, ears erect facing to the side, mouth open, minus carved tongue. Colour: Palomino, cream-white mane and tail, white blaze and stockings. Trappings: Painted in Burnaby's Centennial colours of green, burgundy and gold. Dark green stippled saddle with gold border. Corn cob on back of cantle. Burgundy blanket bordered in green, with three gold stars and gold fringe. Lighter green breast collar bordered in gold, with burgundy, green and gold medallion in breast plate. Dark green bridle with gold concho.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 22, "Tommy D." "Stargazer" style horse, stretched out jumper, front legs slightly bent, head tossed up and back, ears back, mouth open. Colour: Cream white. Trappings: Red-brown stippled saddle and fender with dark brown border. Cob of corn on the back of the cantle. Blanket in shades of green with yellow border and copper fringe. Green inverted acanthus leaf design on shoulder forward of saddle. Deep green breast collar with yellow border, amber jewel in copper breast plate medallion. Copper bridle with emerald jewel in the concho.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 23, "Rose B." "Jumper," semi-stargazer. Back legs extended, front legs bent, neck erect, nose up, ears back and mouth open. Colour: Brown black, with three white socks and blaze. Trappings: Parchment white stipple saddle and skirt, bordered in light olive green. Deep pink roses on the back of the cantle. Pale blue drape and hanging on white ground bordered with gold. Single wild rose spray on shoulder forward of saddle. Pale blue breast collar with light olive trim, white green and pink heart shaped medallion on breast plate. Pale blue bridle with gold concho.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 24, "James." "Jumper," back legs extended, front legs bent, erect neck, tucked in head, ears erect facing side, mouth open, minus carved tongue. Colour: Sorrel, with cream mane and tail, white blaze and stockings. Trappings: Olive green stipple saddle, with silver border. Corn cob on the back of the cantle. Saddle skirt has shield in pale blue, and silver vertical stripes and silver trim on white ground. Light yellow blanket has yellow border. Pale blue diamond quilted shoulder blanket with silver outlines and border. Pale olive green breast collar with yellow border, outlined with darker green. Pale blue bridle with silver concho.

Part of the 1912 C.W. Parker Carousel. Carousel horse No. 25, "Pisces." "Jumper" with back legs extended, front legs bent, erect neck, head up and nose forward, ears back facing to the side, mouth open minus carved tongue. Colour: White with grey tones. Trappings: Red-brown stippled saddle with brown-black border. Fish behind cantle. Two-tone orange diamond quilted blanket, with green and silver bordered medallion in centre, green border with silver fringe. Medium green breast collar, bordered in silver with orange and silver breast plate medallion. Orange bridle with silver concho.