To Dismay of Locals, Historic Seaside Heights Carousel Being Sold
By David Madden
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (CBS) -- And now, another sign that time marches on. A century-old carousel on a boardwalk pier in Seaside Heights is being put up for auction.
The owners of Casino Pier aren't talking about their decision , but longtime residents of the resort town say they will be sorry to see it go.
"As a young man, I rode it," recalls Seaside Heights city council president Tony Vaz. "My children, who are in their 40s, rode it. My grandchildren rode it. It is sentimental."
The sale is expected to fetch approximately $3 million.
The carousel was built by hand in Philadelphia in 1910, and first situated in Burlington County until it was moved to Seaside Heights in 1932.
It's been restored, mostly by a retired college professor, and has survived Hurricane Sandy.
There's some online chatter about raising funds to keep the carousel intact, and in town. Stay tuned.
