City buys historic Coney Island carousel

On a wet Tuesday morning, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Councilmember Domenic Recchia met by the famous B&B (Bishoff & Brienstein) Carousell on Coney Island’s Surf Avenue to celebrate the City’s newly minted deal for its purchase.

“Coney Island is the ultimate in American character and funk – the whole world knows it,” Markowitz said. “I’ve promised Brooklynites that as Coney Island grows to meet 21st century tastes and expectations, we will preserve its character and honor its characters – present and past. I want to thank the EDC and, of course, the mayor, for helping me keep my word. Every great city embraces the future while celebrating its own unique history and Brooklyn, of course, is the world’s greatest city. By ensuring a permanent place for the carousel here in Coney Island, Brooklyn has grabbed the brass ring!”

The carousel, which has been in operation for 73 years, was to go on auction on August 10. However, the McCullough family, which owns it, agreed to sell it to the City in order to preserve its historical and nostalgic value to Coney Island. The City will renovate the carousel and keep it in Coney Island.

The B&B Carousell was built in Brooklyn in 1919 but was situated in New Jersey until 1932 when it came to Coney Island. It consists of 50 hand-carved horses, two chariots, a real band organ and a brass ring machine. The machine deposits silver and brass rings that riders grab on their way around on the carousel. If a rider gets a brass ring, he or she gets a free ride on the carousel. The Carousell is the last remaining wooden carousel of 25 that once existed on Coney Island.