Myrtle Beach Pavilion - Historic Attractions

Historic Attractions

Two of the amusement park’s offerings have been recognized for their historical significance; the first is the Herschell-Spillman Carousel which dates back to 1994. Most carousels feature an assortment of horses, but the Pavilion’s carousel features a menagerie of animals including frogs, lions, ostriches, zebras, giraffes, roosters, and dragons. The “lead horse”, which is, in fact, a horse, is bejeweled and decorated in great detail and, as tradition demands, is found on the outside row of the carousel. One of approximately 15 working Herschell-Spillman carousels in the country, the Pavilion carousel is a very elaborate and well-kept machine, protected at night from the wear and tear of the ocean by lowered metal doors.

The Pavilion's other historical treasure is the Baden Band Organ. This organ was built at Waldkirch Baden, Germany by A. Ruth & Sohn, who hand-carved its ornate wooden figurines and decorations. The organ was first exhibited in Paris at the World Exposition of 1960. Afterwards it was moved from town to town in Europe on a wagon pulled by a team of six horses. The organ is 20 feet (6.1 m) long, 11 feet (3.4 m) high, seven feet deep, and weighs approximately two tons. It has 400 different pipes and 98 keys, and still operates with old-style cardboard music, most of which was composed more than 50 years ago. The organ remains in excellent condition, complete with twirling ladies and cherubs that play cymbals, bells, and drums.