Charles I. D. Looff
Amusement park pioneer and carousel maker (1852-1918) · Founders · Died at 66
Charles I. D. Looff was a German master carver and builder of hand-carved carousels and amusement rides, who immigrated to the United States of America in 1870. Looff built the first carousel at Coney Island in 1876.
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Photos 4
Looff installed this carousel at the Bathing Pavilion of Lucy Vanderveer in 1876, becoming the first amusement ride to operate in Coney Island.
Charles I. D. Looff family at the Crescent Park Carousel in Riverside, Rhode Island, c. 1905
The Santa Monica Pier in 2012 with the Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome visible on the far left. Looff built both structures in 1916.About this person
During his lifetime, he built over 40 carousels, several amusements parks, numerous roller coasters and Ferris wheels, and built California's famous Santa Monica Pier. He became famous for creating the unique Coney Island style of carousel carving.
Category
Founders
Type
Founder
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1852 to 1918 · aged 66
