C. W. Parker built all manner of carnival and amusement Devices.  Manufacturing took place in Abilene KS from the 1890s to 1911 and the Dickinson County Heritage Center in Abilene houses a refurbished machine (thought to be built in 1901).  It is different than any I have ridden on so far.  It is an older design and a portable one, these were for traveling carnivals after all.   The horses are not mounted on poles and they don’t go up and down.  Each hand carved horse is attached to a cam mechanism that rides on a track on the ground.  The horses rock back and forth. They have rebuilt an old band organ too..that makes the ride all the more authentic and fun.  I loved it!

The Heritage Center also houses a huge collection of early telephones, switchboards and even phone booths.  There is farm equipment, prairie log homes, tractors, fire trucks and lots more.  Eisenhower memorabilia loom large at this museum and at the huge complex next door.  Dwight D Eisenhower was born and raised here.  They celebrate their famous home town hero in a big way.

There is a great old merry-go-round too.  I have seen very few of these on our travels.