If you’ve lived in St. Louis for more than a minute, you’ve probably heard about the St Louis Carousel at Faust Park. It’s one of those local landmarks that feels like it’s just always been there, sitting quietly in Chesterfield while the world zooms by on Olive Boulevard. But honestly? Most people just see it as a place to take a toddler for a cheap five-minute distraction. They’re missing the actual story.
This isn't just a playground ride. It’s a literal miracle of engineering and luck.
Imagine a massive, raging fire in 1963. The Forest Park Highlands—the "Big Rock Candy Mountain" of amusement parks for generations of St. Louisans—is being turned to ash. Everything is gone. The Comet rollercoaster? Toast. The swimming pool? Ruined. But right in the middle of the smoldering debris, one thing was still standing. The carousel.
The St Louis Carousel at Faust Park: A Survivor’s Story
Built around 1920 (some records say 1921) by the Dentzel Company of Philadelphia, this thing is a masterpiece of the "Philadelphia Style." Unlike the flashy, gaudy carousels you see at modern fairs, Dentzel carousels were known for being more realistic. More elegant.
The St Louis Carousel at Faust Park features over 60 hand-carved animals. We’re talking 46 "jumpers" (the ones that go up and down), 16 standing horses, and four deer with real antlers. Plus two massive chariots for those who don’t feel like mounting a wooden stallion.
After the fire, the carousel almost vanished. It could have been sold off piece by piece to collectors—a wooden leg here, a glass eye there. Instead, Howard C. Ohlendorf stepped in. He bought the whole thing to keep it together and donated it to the County Parks.
It spent some years at Sylvan Springs Park, but the Missouri weather wasn't kind to antique wood. Eventually, the Faust Cultural Heritage Foundation raised the cash to restore it and build the climate-controlled "jewelry box" it lives in today. It opened at Faust Park in 1987.
It’s faster than you think
Here is something kids (and dizzy parents) will tell you: this ride moves.
Most modern carousels are programmed to be "safe" and slow. Boring. The St Louis Carousel at Faust Park is reportedly one of the fastest in North America. It can hit speeds over 15 miles per hour. That sounds slow in a car, but when you’re perched on a 100-year-old wooden deer, it feels like you're entering orbit.
Seriously. Watch the teenagers. They usually start the ride looking "too cool" and end it clutching the brass pole with wide eyes.
Why the Dentzel Name Actually Matters
You’ll see the name "Dentzel" on the signs. Gustav Dentzel was basically the godfather of American carousels. His father, Michael, built them in Germany, and Gustav brought that craft to the States in the 1850s.
These animals aren't hollow plastic. They are solid wood, carved by European immigrants who brought Old World woodworking skills to Pennsylvania. When you look at the horses at the St Louis Carousel at Faust Park, check the "romance side"—that’s the side facing out toward the spectators. It’s always more heavily decorated than the inside.
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- The Details: Look at the muscle definition in the horses' legs.
- The Eyes: Many have real glass eyes that seem to follow you.
- The Paint: The colors are vibrant but historically accurate to the 1920s restoration styles.
The "Hidden" Faust Park Experience
Most people hit the carousel and then leave. Big mistake.
Faust Park itself is nearly 200 acres. It was the estate of Frederick Bates, Missouri’s second governor. You can walk right out of the carousel building and into the Faust Historic Village. It’s a collection of local homes and structures from the 1800s that were moved here to save them from demolition.
It’s a weird, cool juxtaposition. One minute you’re on a high-speed 1920s carousel, and five minutes later you’re looking at a log cabin from the 1840s.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
Don't just show up on a Monday. They’re closed.
Actually, they’re closed a lot of Mondays. And the first few weeks of January are usually reserved for maintenance—cleaning those 60+ animals takes a lot of Q-tips and patience. For 2026, the carousel is slated to reopen on January 23rd.
The Price of Admission:
Usually, it’s just $2 per person. That is arguably the best deal in the entire St. Louis metro area. Where else can you get a hit of dopamine and a history lesson for two bucks?
The Location:
15055 Faust Park, Chesterfield, MO 63017. It’s right near the Butterfly House, which is another great "add-on" if you’re making a day of it.
Some Practical "Pro" Tips
- Check the Schedule: Tuesday through Friday they usually run 10 AM to 4:15 PM. Weekends are slightly shorter, ending around 3:45 PM.
- Parties: You can actually rent the whole gallery. It seats about 100 people. If you want a wedding or a birthday party where the "entertainment" is a literal museum piece, this is the spot.
- The Band Organ: They have an authentic band organ that plays that classic, slightly creepy, mostly joyful carnival music. Sometimes they use a modern sound system, but when the organ is cranking, the atmosphere is unbeatable.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your trip to the St Louis Carousel at Faust Park, follow this simple itinerary:
- Arrive early: The park is quieter in the mornings, and parking is a breeze.
- Bring cash: While they take cards, having a few singles makes the ticket line move faster for everyone.
- Walk the Historic Village: After your ride, take 20 minutes to walk through the village. It’s free and offers a great perspective on how much St. Louis has changed since the carousel was built.
- Visit the Butterfly House: It’s literally right next door. You can do both in under three hours.
- Look for the deer: Everyone wants a horse, but the four deer are the rarest figures on the platform. Try to snag one for a more "authentic" vintage experience.
The St Louis Carousel at Faust Park isn't just a ride; it's a survivor of a lost era of St. Louis entertainment. It’s fast, it’s cheap, and it’s a piece of 1920s craftsmanship that somehow escaped a 1960s inferno to land in a 2020s park. Go ride it before everyone else figures out how cool it actually is.
Visit the official St. Louis County Parks website or the Faust Cultural Heritage Foundation to verify current seasonal hours before heading out, especially during holiday weeks.</_thought>
St Louis Carousel at Faust Park: What Most People Get Wrong
If you’ve lived in St. Louis for more than a minute, you’ve probably heard about the St Louis Carousel at Faust Park. It’s one of those local landmarks that feels like it’s just always been there, sitting quietly in Chesterfield while the world zooms by on Olive Boulevard. But honestly? Most people just see it as a place to take a toddler for a cheap five-minute distraction. They’re missing the actual story.
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This isn't just a playground ride. It’s a literal miracle of engineering and luck.
Imagine a massive, raging fire in 1963. The Forest Park Highlands—the "Big Rock Candy Mountain" of amusement parks for generations of St. Louisans—is being turned to ash. Everything is gone. The Comet rollercoaster? Toast. The swimming pool? Ruined. But right in the middle of the smoldering debris, one thing was still standing. The carousel.
The St Louis Carousel at Faust Park: A Survivor’s Story
Built around 1920 by the Dentzel Company of Philadelphia, this thing is a masterpiece of what historians call the "Philadelphia Style." Unlike the gaudy, plastic carousels you see at modern fairs, Dentzel carousels were known for being more realistic. More elegant.
The St Louis Carousel at Faust Park features over 60 hand-carved animals. We’re talking 46 "jumpers" (the ones that go up and down), 16 standing horses, and four deer with real antlers. Plus two massive chariots for those who don’t feel like mounting a wooden stallion.
After the fire at the Highlands, the carousel almost vanished. It could have been sold off piece by piece to collectors—a wooden leg here, a glass eye there. Instead, Howard C. Ohlendorf stepped in. He bought the whole thing to keep it together and donated it to the County Parks in 1965.
It spent some years at Sylvan Springs Park, but the Missouri weather wasn't kind to antique wood. Eventually, the Faust Cultural Heritage Foundation raised the cash to restore it and build the climate-controlled "jewelry box" it lives in today. It officially opened at Faust Park in 1987.
It’s faster than you think
Here is something kids (and dizzy parents) will tell you: this ride moves.
Most modern carousels are programmed to be "safe" and slow. Boring. The St Louis Carousel at Faust Park is reportedly one of the fastest in North America. It can hit speeds over 15 miles per hour. That sounds slow in a car, but when you’re perched on a 100-year-old wooden deer, it feels like you're entering orbit.
Seriously. Watch the teenagers. They usually start the ride looking "too cool" and end it clutching the brass pole with wide eyes.
Why the Dentzel Name Actually Matters
You’ll see the name "Dentzel" on the signs. Gustav Dentzel was basically the godfather of American carousels. His father, Michael, built them in Germany, and Gustav brought that craft to the States in the 1850s.
These animals aren't hollow plastic. They are solid wood, carved by European immigrants who brought Old World woodworking skills to Pennsylvania. When you look at the horses at the St Louis Carousel at Faust Park, check the "romance side"—that’s the side facing out toward the spectators. It’s always more heavily decorated than the inside.
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- The Muscle Detail: Look at the definition in the horses' legs; they look like they’re actually galloping.
- The Eyes: Many have real glass eyes that seem to follow you.
- The Paint: The colors are vibrant but historically accurate to the 1920s restoration styles.
The "Hidden" Faust Park Experience
Most people hit the carousel and then leave. Big mistake.
Faust Park itself is nearly 200 acres. It was the estate of Frederick Bates, Missouri’s second governor. You can walk right out of the carousel building and into the Faust Historic Village. It’s a collection of local homes and structures from the 1800s that were moved here to save them from demolition.
It’s a weird, cool juxtaposition. One minute you’re on a high-speed 1920s carousel, and five minutes later you’re looking at a log cabin from the 1840s.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
Don't just show up on a Monday. They’re closed.
Actually, they’re closed a lot. The first few weeks of January are usually reserved for maintenance—cleaning those 60+ animals takes a lot of Q-tips and patience. For 2026, the carousel is slated to reopen on January 23rd.
The Price of Admission:
Usually, it’s just $2 per person. That is arguably the best deal in the entire St. Louis metro area. Where else can you get a hit of dopamine and a history lesson for two bucks?
The Location:
15055 Faust Park, Chesterfield, MO 63017. It’s right near the Butterfly House, which is another great "add-on" if you’re making a day of it.
Some Practical "Pro" Tips
- Check the Schedule: Tuesday through Friday they usually run 10 AM to 4:15 PM. Weekends are slightly shorter, ending around 3:45 PM.
- Parties: You can actually rent the whole gallery. It seats about 100 people. If you want a wedding or a birthday party where the "entertainment" is a literal museum piece, this is the spot.
- The Band Organ: They have an authentic band organ that plays that classic, slightly creepy, mostly joyful carnival music. Sometimes they use a modern sound system, but when the organ is cranking, the atmosphere is unbeatable.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your trip to the St Louis Carousel at Faust Park, follow this simple plan:
- Arrive early: The park is quieter in the mornings, and parking is a breeze.
- Bring cash: While they take cards, having a few singles makes the ticket line move faster for everyone.
- Walk the Historic Village: After your ride, take 20 minutes to walk through the village. It’s free and offers a great perspective on how much St. Louis has changed since the carousel was built.
- Visit the Butterfly House: It’s literally right next door. You can do both in under three hours.
- Look for the deer: Everyone wants a horse, but the four deer are the rarest figures on the platform. Try to snag one for a more "authentic" vintage experience.
The St Louis Carousel at Faust Park isn't just a ride; it's a survivor of a lost era of St. Louis entertainment. It’s fast, it’s cheap, and it’s a piece of 1920s craftsmanship that somehow escaped a 1960s inferno to land in a 2020s park. Go ride it before everyone else figures out how cool it actually is.
Note: Always verify current seasonal hours with the St. Louis County Parks department before heading out, especially during holiday weeks.