Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome
Encyclopedia
The Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome is located on the Santa Monica Pier
in Santa Monica, California
. It was designed and built in 1916 by Charles I. D. Looff
and his son Arthur to hold a Looff Carousel. Looff's carousel was housed at the Hippodrome until it was sold in 1939. It was replaced by a Philadelphia Toboggan Company
Carousel #62 that was used at Ocean Park Pier. Since 1977, the carousel has been owned by the city of Santa Monica, California
. The building remains a rare example of structures that used to be on the Amusement pier. It was restored from 1977 through 1981
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1987.
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is a large double-jointed pier located at the foot of Colorado Avenue in Santa Monica, California and is a prominent, 100-year-old landmark.-Pacific Park:...
in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
. It was designed and built in 1916 by Charles I. D. Looff
Charles I. D. Looff
Charles I. D. Looff was a master carver and builder of hand-carved carousels and amusement rides in America. Looff built the first carousel at Coney Island in 1876. During his lifetime, he manufactured over 50 carousels,twelve amusements parks, several roller coasters and Ferris wheels, and built...
and his son Arthur to hold a Looff Carousel. Looff's carousel was housed at the Hippodrome until it was sold in 1939. It was replaced by a Philadelphia Toboggan Company
Philadelphia Toboggan Company
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world.Mack Rides of Germany dates back to 1781, but it did not start building coasters until 1921 Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B...
Carousel #62 that was used at Ocean Park Pier. Since 1977, the carousel has been owned by the city of Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
. The building remains a rare example of structures that used to be on the Amusement pier. It was restored from 1977 through 1981
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1987.
The Looff Years (1910s-30s)
On June 12, 1916 The Loof Hippodrome opened its doors for the first time and the public fell in love, for inside the curious looking structure was a circling menagerie of wooden animals suited to delight anyone who cared to ride upon them. It was a genuine carousel.The Newcomb Years (1940s-60s)
When the war ended (WWII), Newcomb found himself in an enviable position. The amusement business was expected to see a great surge with the return of the country's military personnel and a general feeling of national pride. With the closure of the Venice Pier reducing his competition, he relocated his Venice-based carousel into the old Loof Hippodrome.The Storms & Restoration (1970s-90s)
External links
- History of pier & hippodrome
- Looff Hippodrome, 1916 at Santa Monica Landmarks. Includes photo gallery.