When it comes to family-friendly destinations, Idaho has no shortage of manicured parks, refreshing swimming holes, museums, and dozens of other activities to enjoy on a warm summer’s day – or any season, really! But while our municipal parks often offer easy getaways, Porter Park in Rexburg is particularly special. Not only is it an expansive, lush park with plenty of play options; it’s also home to a rare vintage American treasure: a 100-year old wooden carousel – the only one of its kind in Idaho. Check it out!
Porter Park is one of Rexburg’s largest and most popular municipal parks.
Idahohub/YouTube Situated in downtown Rexburg, the park is named for Arthur Porter, Jr., a wealthy humanitarian who contributed much to the community.
The park is lush and expansive, jut the way a park should be…
But its crowning jewel is a vintage wooden carousel dating back to Roaring 20s.
City of Rexburg A beautifully crafted antique that was built by Spillman Engineering Company of New York around 1926, Rexburg’s vintage carousel originally began life as a traveling carnival attraction. Today, it still runs using the original vintage music scrolls from the Stinson Band Organ Company in Ohio
There are only 150 like it left in the entire country.
City of Rexburg But none are identical to it – the Centennial carousel has hand-painted Idaho images at the top which are a dizzying reminder of this gem’s history.
But this vintage carousel also has a fascinating history to it.
mddwcmkk/YouTube After being located permanently to Utah in the ’40s, the Rexburg community found the historic gem for sale and raised money to purchase it for the park. Sadly, in 1976 the Teton Dam flood waters damaged it so severely that several of the vintage horses were lost. The carousel went into a period of renovation and finished just in time to make its debut at Idaho’s 100th birthday celebration.
It’s a unique treasure that Idaho is forunate to have!
City of Rexburg
The park also features a large splash pad and spray zone, as well as a water slide for those hot summer days.
City of Rexburg
Basically, this park is nothing short of dreamy.
City of Rexburg
If you’re ever in Eastern Idaho and looking for a place that the whole family can enjoy, Porter Park is a wonderful option. If you’ve ever been here or have any memories or stories to share, please let us know!
Idahohub/YouTube
Situated in downtown Rexburg, the park is named for Arthur Porter, Jr., a wealthy humanitarian who contributed much to the community.
City of Rexburg
A beautifully crafted antique that was built by Spillman Engineering Company of New York around 1926, Rexburg’s vintage carousel originally began life as a traveling carnival attraction. Today, it still runs using the original vintage music scrolls from the Stinson Band Organ Company in Ohio
But none are identical to it – the Centennial carousel has hand-painted Idaho images at the top which are a dizzying reminder of this gem’s history.
mddwcmkk/YouTube
After being located permanently to Utah in the ’40s, the Rexburg community found the historic gem for sale and raised money to purchase it for the park. Sadly, in 1976 the Teton Dam flood waters damaged it so severely that several of the vintage horses were lost. The carousel went into a period of renovation and finished just in time to make its debut at Idaho’s 100th birthday celebration.
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