Recreation Park Carousel, Binghamton

George F. Johnson Recreation Park Carousel is a historic carousel located at Binghamton in Broome County, New York. The carousel and its pavilion were built in 1925. The carousel is housed in a wooden, one story, 16-sided, pavilion topped by a cupola. The carousel has 60 horses standing four abreast, each of which is a "jumper," and two chariots. It was constructed by the Allan Herschell Company and contains its original Wurlitzer Military Band Organ. It is one of six carousels donated to the citizens of Broome County by George F. Johnson (1857–1948), president of Endicott Johnson Corporation.
This carousel, the gazebo, and in fact, the entire Recreation Park served as inspiration to Rod Serling's classic Twilight Zone episode entitled "Walking Distance." Serling is honored with a bronze plaque in the floor of the gazebo as well as with beautiful paintings, depicting memorable scenes from The Twilight Zone, on the carousel. Recreation Park is as close to the Twilight Zone as one might get, without crossing over.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Other carousels located in the Greater Binghamton Region: C. Fred Johnson Park Carousel George W. Johnson Park Carousel Highland Park Carousel Ross Park Carousel West Endicott Park Carousel To visit Recreation Park Carousel and other attractions in Binghamton, use our Binghamton online road trip planner.