Allan Herschell Company


The Allan Herschell Company specialized in the creation of amusement rides, particularly carousels and roller coasters. The company manufactured portable machines which could be used by traveling carnival operators. It was started in 1915 in the town of North Tonawanda, just outside Buffalo, New York, US.

History

Previous companies

Herschell, together with James Armitage, created the Armitage Herschell Company in 1873. In 1883, his son William traveled to London, England, to meet former Limonaire Frères employee Eugene de Kleist. Backed by Armitage Herschell, in 1888 De Kleist set up band organ production in North Tonawanda, founding the North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory. The company produced a range of barrell-organ based products, suited for all ranges of fairground attraction.
Armitage Herschell remained in operation until the early 1900s. The company carved many portable carousels, made simple in style. Surviving steam riding galleries are located in Mississippi and Maine. In 1901, Herschell left the Armitage Herschell Company due to financial complications, thus allowing De Kliest to buy the pair out, and seek new investment from his association with Rudolph Wurlitzer.
Herschell created the Herschell Spillman Company with his in-laws, the Spillmans. Herschell Spillman started out creating and carving carousels in a traditional style, but later branching out to create larger park machines, such as elaborate carousels with many types of animals. Surviving carousels can be found in California, Michigan, and Maryland. The Herschell–Spillman Motor Company Complex at North Tonawanda was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
The company later dropped Herschell's name and was known as the Spillman Engineering Company. The company continued to make the same style of carousel, though later it focused more on horses with a few menagerie styled machines. Surviving carousels can be seen in North Carolina and the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

Allan Herschell Company

The last company Herschell created was his own, competing with the Spillman Engineering Company, in 1915. Herschell specialized in horses with rigid poses and portable machines, which enabled them to be packed and shipped easily between towns. Herschell produced over 3,000 carved wooden carousels, which were shipped all over the United States and Canada, as well as other countries such as Mexico, South Africa, and India.
The factory was bought in 1915 and is located on Thompson Street in North Tonawanda. It is one of the last factory complexes in the United States which contained the production of wooden carousels. The complex was expanded to meet the growing company's needs. The building contains a large carving shop, a woodworking shop, a paint shop, a storage area, an upholstery shop, a machine shop and a roundhouse where the carousels were assembled and tested.
Herschell didn't create just carousel rides, but expanded to include rides made for children and adults. He thought up the concept for rides specialized for small children, called "Kiddieland." Twister, Hurricane, Flying Bobs, and the Sky Wheel were thrill rides catered towards adults.
The company moved to Buffalo, New York, in the 1950s, and in 1970 it merged with rival amusement park company Chance Manufacturing of Wichita, Kansas.

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, at the original factory site on Thompson Street, opened to the general public in July 1983, with a full operational carousel from 1916. The first floor of the factory has been opened up to provide exhibits and demonstrations. Different programs are offered, such as woodcarving of various skill levels, guided tours, and a summer lecture series. Special programs, such as Youth Volunteer Program and Neighborhood Partners Program are offered to young people and local elementary school children.

Surviving Allan Herschell Company rides

Carousels

Trains

As of 2019, Allan Herschell Company has built 185 roller coasters around the world.
NameModelParkCountryOpenedStatusRef
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperFrasier's Frontier United States
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperDeadwood United States
Mite MouseWild Mouse / Mite MouseDispensa's Kiddie Kingdom United States
Mite MouseWild Mouse / Mite MouseOcean Beach Park United States
Miller's Gold MineWild Mouse / Mite MouseConey Island
Jolly Roger Amusement Park
United States
1987 to 1989

Monster MouseWild Mouse / Monster MouseForest Park United States
Monster MouseWild Mouse / Monster MouseJack and Jill Amusement Park United States
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseJulia Davis Fun Depot United States
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseFuntown United States
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseSauzer's Kiddieland United States
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseFun Town United States
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MousePlayland Park United States
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseFair Park United States
Little D
Formerly Bunny Rabbit
Formerly Roller Coaster
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperIsland in Pigeon Forge
Seabreeze Amusement Park
Enchanted Forest Water Safari
United States
1985 to 1996
1965 to 1970

Little Dipper
Formerly Safari Kiddie Coaster
Formerly Kiddie Coaster
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperBell's Kiddieland
Fun Spot
Adventureland Amusement Park
United States
2002 to 2008
Unknown

Little Rickies Little TwisterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperOld Indiana Fun-n-Water Park
Six Flags New England
United States
1978 to 1999

Kiddie CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperStricker's Grove United States
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperChippewa Lake Park United States
L'll DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperTinkertown Family Fun Park Canada
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperComo Town United States
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperAdventureland United States
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperFuntown United States
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSauzer's Kiddieland United States
Litle DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddieland Amusement Park United States
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperFun Town United States
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperFun Town at Micke Grove United States
Kiddie CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperWild Waves Theme & Water Park United States
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperPeony Park United States
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperBell's Amusement Park United States
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperWillow Park United States
Children's Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperHoliday World United States
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperFire Mountain Amusements United States
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperWild West World United States
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperPlayland Park Canada
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperExcelsior Amusement Park United States
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperHamel's Park United States
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperBoblo Island Canada
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperDealing's Rides United States
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperLakeview Park United States
Comet Jr.Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddieland Amusement Park United States
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperPlumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 157 United States
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperDispensa's Kiddie Kingdom United States
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperPlayland Canada
Long Beach Resort United States
Roller CoasterCountry Fair Enterainment Park United States
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperEnchanted Island United States1946
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperCarter Lake Kiddieland United States1949
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperConneaut Lake Park United States1950
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddie Park Of San Antonio United States1950
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperIndiana Beach United States1950
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperDandiLion Park United States1950
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperDelGrosso's Amusement Park United States1950
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddieland Park United States1950
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperFairgrounds Park United States1950
Kiddie KoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperJoyland Park United States1950
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperAirway Drive-in United States1950
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperUncle Ben's Kiddyland United States1950
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperBel-Air Kiddyland United States1951
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperKaty Road Kiddieland United States1951
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperPacific Ocean Park United States1951
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperNew Liberty Park United States1951
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperPlayland Park United States1951
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperMemphis Kiddie Park United States1952
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperQuassy Amusement Park United States1952
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddie Land United States1952
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperJoyland Amusement Park United States1952
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperStreamland Park United States1952
Little Fire BallKiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddie Park United States1953
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddie Playland United States1954
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperHuron Kiddieland United States1954
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperHoliday Hill United States1955
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperAhern’s Playland United States1955
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperMidway Park United States1956
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSeven Peaks Water Park Duneland United States1956
Little Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperLagoon United States1956
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperSuburban Park United States1957
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperAirport Kiddieland United States1957
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSwatara Park United States1957
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperReynolds Park United States1957
BobsledKiddie Coaster / Little DipperVillage United States1957
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperTwin Fiar Kiddieland United States1957
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperPlayland Park United States1957
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperPlaytown Park United States1957
Wild MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseRiverside Park United States1958
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperSpaceland United States1958
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperDoodle-Bug Park United States1958
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperWedgewood Village Amusement Park United States1958
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseFrontier City United States1959
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseQueens Park United States1959
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseChain of Rocks Amusement Park United States1959
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseAlabama State Fairgrounds United States1959
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseOaks Amusement Park United States1959
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperSouth Gate Kiddieland United States1959
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperLake Winnepesaukah United States1959
Mite MouseWild Mouse / Mite MouseSmiley's Happyland United States1960
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseComo Town United States1960
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseMarshall Hall Park United States1960
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseLake Winnepesaukah United States1960
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddieland Park United States1960
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperJolly Cholly's Funland United States1960
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperSeaway Kiddieland United States1960
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperLake George Action Park United States1960
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperDizzyland United States1960
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperDoling Park United States1960
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddieland United States1960
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperPeppermint Park United States1960
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperWonderland Amusement Park United States1960
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddieland United States1960
Cucaracha
Formerly Sidewinder
Wild Mouse / Mad MouseSix Flags Over Texas United States1961
SwoseWild Mouse / Mad MouseFuntown Pier United States1961
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperFunland Park United States1961
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperIndian Nations Park United States1961
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperChico Kiddieland Puerto Rico1961
Astro-rideWild Mouse / Mad MouseFreedomland U.S.A. United States1962
BobsledKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSkyPark at Santa's Village United States1962
Flower Power
Formerly Gila Monster
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperLegend City United States1963
Ratón LocoWild Mouse / Monster MouseLa Feria Chapultepec Mágico Mexico1964
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseCliff's Amusement Park
Magic Mesa Fun Park
United States1964
Unknown

Kiddie Coaster
Formerly Super Coaster
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperVollmar's Park
Cedar Point
United States1964
1952 to 1964

Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperFantasy Forest at the Flushing Meadows Carousel United States1964
Monster MouseWild Mouse / Monster MousePlayland Park United States1965
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperKiddieland United States1966
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSaratoga Resort United States1966
Monster Mouse
Formerly Gila Monster
Wild Mouse / Monster MouseLegend City
Pacific Ocean Park
United States1968
1964 to 1967

Frustratin' FlyerWild Mouse / Monster MouseDogpatch USA United States1968
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperLakeview Park United States1969
Monster MouseWild/Mouse / Monster MouseSix Gun Territory United States1970
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSandy Lake Amusement Park United States1971
Silly Serpent
Formerly Funicular
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperWorlds of Fun United States1973
Rockin' Roller
Formerly Acme Gravity Powered Roller Ride
Formerly Rock Candy Express
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperSix Flags St. Louis United States1975
Mild Thing
Formerly Kiddie Coaster
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperValleyfair United States1976
Gulf CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSix Flags Great America United States1976
Gulf CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperCalifornia's Great America United States1976
Das KätzchenKiddie Coaster / Little DipperBusch Gardens Williamsburg United States1976
Monster MouseWild Mouse / Monster MouseOaks Amusement Park
Playland
United States1977
Unknown

Mini Rock 'N' Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperOpryland USA United States1977
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperCrystal Beach Park Canada1977
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperLeonardtown Volunteer Fire Department United States1979
Monster MouseWild Mouse / Monster MouseRocky Glen Park United States1982
Mad Mouse
Formerly Monster
Formerly Monster Mouse
Wild Mouse / Monster MouseQuassy Amusement Park
Playland Park
United States1982
1967 to 1981

Wild MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseBertrand Island Amusement Park United States1983
Monster MouseWild Mouse / Monster MouseFantasy Farm Amusement Park United States1984
Roller Coaster
Formerly Jr. Roller Coaster
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperMagic Forest Park
Canobie Lake Park
United States1985
1970 to 1984

Magic DragonKiddie Coaster / Little DipperLowry Park Zoo United States1987
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperParque Eme Mexico1989
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperTuscora Park United States1990
Steel First
Formerly Little Laser
Formerly Snowball Express
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperDorney Park
Santa's Village AZoosment Park
United States1990
Unknown

Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperWillow Mill Park United States1990
Wild KittyKiddie Coaster / Little DipperFrontier City United States1991
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperGreeley County Fairgrounds United States1991
SafariKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSheridan County Fairgrounds United States1991
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperWallace County Fairgrounds United States1991
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseJ's Amusement Park United States1991
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperFunland Park United States1991
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperLittle Amerricka United States1993
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseLittle Amerricka
Seven Peaks Water Park Duneland
United States1993
Unknown

Little LeaperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperLakemont Park United States1993
Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseLakemont Park
White Swan Park
United States1993
1965 to 1989

Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperFunland Amusement Park United States1993
Cornstalk Load Goldmine - Runaway Mine CarsKiddie Coaster / Little DipperStage Coach Stop USA United States1993
Mini Ha HaKiddie Coaster / Little DipperColumbian Park United States1996
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperCool World United States1997
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperDeer Forest Fun Park United States1998
Renegade
Formerly L'il Renegade
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperSouthern Adventures
Sertoma Playland
United States1999
Unknown

Mad MouseWild Mouse / Mad MouseDownunderland Australia1999
Kiddie CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperSherman's Amusement Park United States2001
Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperCarousel Village at Indian Walk
Dandy's Frontier
United States2001
Unknown

Monster Mouse
Formerly Big Cheese
Formerly Monster Mouse
Formerly Big Mouse
Formerly Mad Mouse
Wild Mouse / Monster MouseTinkertown Family Fun Park
Western Playland
Canada2003
1960 to 1998

Mine TrainKiddie Coaster / Little DipperArcadas Dominican Republic2003
Motor World ExpressKiddie Coaster / Little DipperMotor World United States2005
Swing's Safari Express
Formerly Roller Coaster
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperShining Waters Family Fun Park
Burlington Amusement Park
Canada2007
1960 to 2005

Kiddie Coaster
Formerly Junior Roller Coaster
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperDeer Forest Fun Park
Jubilee Park
United States2007
1977 to 2004

Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperAmusement Park Drive In
Family Funland
United States2009
2001 to 2005

Monster MouseWild Mouse / Monster MouseAmusement Park Drive In
Family Funland
United States2009
2001 to 2005

Run Away Mine Cars
Formerly Chicken Express
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperDonley's Wild West Town
High Hopes Orchard
Bayville Adventure Park
United States2010
2002 to 2005
2000 to 2001

Monster MouseWild Mouse / Monster MouseParque Acuatico Rey Park
Washington State Fair
Ecuador2011
1990 to 2010

Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperBlue Mountain Go Karts Canada2012
Wild Kitty
Formerly Cactus Coaster
Formerly Tombstone Tumbler
Formerly Great Chase
Formerly Wild Kitten
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperFrontier City
Elitch Gardens
United States2013
1995 to 2012

RangeKiddie Coaster / Little DipperYesterLand Farm United States2013
Western TrainKiddie Coaster / Little DipperL'ile Aux Enfants France2013
Roller CoasterKiddie Coaster / Little DipperHuck Finn's Playland
Hoffman's Playland
United States2015
1960 to 2014

Lil Dipper Roller Coaster
Formerly Little Dipper
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperSluggers & Putters
LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park
United States2015
Unknown

Roller Coaster
Formerly Kiddie Roller Coaster
Kiddie Coaster / Little DipperHoward's Apples Farm Market
Dover Lake Waterpark
United States2016
1994 to 2005

Little DipperKiddie Coaster / Little DipperCedar Valley's Wild Frontier Fun Park
Holland Speedway
Long Point Park
United States2017
1991 to 2016
1950 to 1990

Wild Mousse
Formerly Mad Mouse
Wild Mouse / Mad MouseArnolds Park
Joyland Amusement Park
Bell's Amusement Park
United States2019
1976 to 2018
1959 to Unknown