In 1914, St. Paul resident Austin McFadden commissioned the Philadelphia Tobaggan Company to build a carousel that would be operated as a family-owned concession at the Minnesota State Fair. The project, which included shipping and on-site assembly, cost McFadden $8,500. The Carousel features 68 jumpers and two chariots, and a
The carousel quickly became a State Fair landmark and cherished family tradition that was persevered for nearly 75 years. While the people of Minneosta cherished the PTC #33 the later Austin McFadden's family members understood that the carousel was worth slightly more than $1.1 million and so in 1988 they were ready to disassembe it and put the parts up for sale on auction.
Nancy Peterson and Peter Boehm read the new of this happening and launch a into action and all-out fundraising effort to keep the carousel in Minnesota. They linked up with Gerard Cafesjian, a retired West Publishing executive who became the most generous benefactor of saving this carousel. It has since been named the Cafesjian Carousel.
Today the carousel has a permanent home in Como Park, St. Paul, Minnesota.
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