The restoration of the Balboa Park Carousel’s carved wooden animals is an ongoing project. William “Bill” Brown, who has been operating and tending this historic carousel since 1972, showed me four animals that are being restored in 2025.
The first–a camel–you can see above. Feast your eyes on the amazing sculptural detail!
The Balboa Park Carousel was originally built in 1910 by Herschell-Spillman, whose factory created many of these same animals for different carousels.
Restoring the carved animals involves removing layers of paint, repairing dents and scrapes caused mostly by dangling feet, then returning these true works of art to their former glory. Bill accomplishes this by using images he obtained from the archives of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, which he once had the opportunity to visit.
Bill was very kind and showed me the animals undergoing restoration during a brief lull in the carousel action.
The Persian Cat, in the next photo, is the animal nearest completion.
Here’s an image of how the Persian Cat might have appeared as it left the Herschell-Spillman factory over a century ago. (Through the years, the basic design would undergo certain changes, including coloration.)
The restoration pays close attention to original details.
Next is the carousel’s War Horse, now stripped of old paint…
Many of the animals have “side images” such as a warrior with shield in this case.
A carousel goat is also being restored!
Bill also showed me several carved animals whose restoration was completed last year! They look absolutely fantastic!
First up, this tiger. Look how bright and colorful it now is! Remember the famous 1882 short story The Lady, or the Tiger? That explains the side image.
Then there’s a beautifully restored stork, with a baby ready for delivery!
And look how amazing this restored stag appears! A hound appears on its side.
Bill, by carefully tending and restoring the Balboa Park carousel, has been bringing joy to generations of San Diegans. Thank you!
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