1909 Mangels – Illions 4-row Menagerie
Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA
2008 Photos by Roland Hopkins
The W. F. Mangels/M. C. Illions carousel started its operational life in Savin Rock, West Haven, CT. In 1940 the machine was moved to Riverside Park in Agawam, MA, now Six Flags New England.
Along with the 68 horses, the carousel includes rare Illions menagerie; a lion, a tiger and 2 deer along with 2 chariots. Their Wurlitzer 146-B band organ was last reported to still be in storage.
The carousel was restored back to its original colors and beauty Barney Illions in the mid-’80s by Barney Illions (who would have painted it originally as a young man). The original carousel included 1 of only 4 known “American Beauty” lead horses by Illions, though the original horse is no longer on the machine. A contemporary carving is in its place.
Six Flags NE is also home to the historic 1939 Thunderbolt roller coaster. The figure-eight style coaster was one of the last of its era, its design based on the Cyclone coaster erected for the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair.
