Distinctly Montana Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.distinctlymontana.com/i/1431497
D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 52 CAROUSEL REST AREA SHELBY The carousel in Shelby is one of the oldest and yet newest in the state. While open at its present location since 2018, the carousel itself dates back to 1936. It lived on the grounds of the Marias Fair, just east of town, until local rancher and businessman Harry Benjamin got the idea of restoring it and moving it into town. Restoring the carousel became a community proj- ect, even including the inmates at the Crossroads Correc- tional Center who did a lot of the cleaning and repainting of the metal animals. The carousel opened to the public in May, 2018. Although the building housing it was not completed until after his death on May 11th, 2020, Benjamin was able to see that his dream would come true. Another dream came true with the grand opening. Daisy Hader died at age eight, leaving behind the desire to ride a carousel if she ever got out of the hospital. One of the horses at Shelby is now named Daisy May in honor of the child who never got to ride. Other inhabitants of the carousel include a couple of roosters, a fire truck and a bench held up by a couple of bears. THE JEFFERSON COUNTY RECREATION PARK BOULDER In 1958, employees and clients of the Boulder River School, using molds developed by A. Brill Enterprises, cast their own alumi- num horses and built a classic metal carousel for the facility. At the time, Boulder was home to the state's children's hospital, and many of the "clients" were like my friend Larry who had cerebral palsy. Instead of having special education classes in local schools, children with devel- opmental disabilities were sent to Boulder. A carousel was undoubt- edly a welcome addition to the grounds. The state closed Boulder's facilities in 2017, but long be- fore that the carousel had fallen into disuse. In 1995, the Boulder Volunteer Fire Department received permission to move the carousel to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds and MISSOULA COLUMBIA FALLS HELENA BOULDER BUTTE SHELBY SOMERS Original carousel horse from Butte's Columbia Gardens carousel Carousel in Shelby