As a teenager, In 1973-1979 I worked at an amusement park that had one of the oldest carrousels in New York State. ( Currently in a museum in Long Island)The owner and main maintenance person in his 60’s was very knowledgeable and well versed on carousels. This hand carved carrousel had horses, lions and benches. They even had a brass ring challenge. The owner would actually get offended if someone referred to his pride and joy as a Merry Go Round. He would always explain that the biggest difference was the direction they turned. Carousel counter clockwise and Merry Go Round clockwise.

Types of animals, lights or any other decoration was determined by the purchaser when commissioning to have one built.