Paragon Park Carousel
Also known as: Carousel Unter the Clock; Philadelphia Toboggan Co. # 85
Why it's listed
Built in 1928 for Paragon Park at Nantasket Beach in Hull, this wooden carousel was made by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and incorporates a motor and two chariots from the Dentzel Carousel Company. It has four rows holding 66 horses, is about forty feet across, and sits inside a twelve-sided stucco building with an exposed-rafter, shingled domed roof. The scalloped top carries cherubs, painted panels and lights, and the central enclosure holds oil paintings and mirrors. It is one of only two four-row wooden carousels left in Massachusetts and a prime example of the Philadelphia Style, which favored elegant, naturalistic carving. It ran continuously from 1928 until the park closed in 1984, and it is the only remaining Paragon Park attraction still in the state. Moved less than a block in the 1980s, it remains within the Nantasket Beach amusement district and keeps nearly all of its original features.
Significance in brief: It is one of only two four-row wooden carousels still extant in Massachusetts, out of about 170 pre-1950 wooden carousels in the United States. It reflects Hull's growth as a seaside resort and the development of amusement parks, and it exemplifies the 'Philadelphia Style' of carousel production. It is the sole remaining attraction from Paragon Park still in Massachusetts.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 99001081, listed September 14, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1 Wharf Ave., Hull |
|---|---|
| County | Plymouth County |
| Listed | September 14, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99001081 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1928-1949 |
| Architect / builder | Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC); Dentzel Carousel Company parts; Frank Carrera (master carver); Gustav (Gus) Weiss (artist); Max Soltman (artist) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th century revivals: 12 sided octagon-style revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art, Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still operating at its new site near its original location; the organ needs repair and a compact disc player provides music. About 24 of the 66 horses have been restored. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.27018, -70.85665 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 99001081.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7134600
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.