"Carousel Capital of the World" Binghamton, NY

Between 1919 and 1934, George F Johnson, a shoe manufacturer donated six carousels to local Binghamton, NY area parks. Because of his own poor childhood George Johnson believed carousels should be enjoyed by everyone and insisted that there never be a charge for a "magic ride".

Above photo is of  George F Johnson's now closed factory.

In 1899, Johnson became co-owner of the business with Henry B. Endicott, which was renamed the Endicott-Johnson Co. Under his presidency, the company grew to eight factories in Broome County, New York, employing about 10,000. Endicott-Johnson was the first company in the shoe industry to introduce the 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek, and comprehensive medical care. Despite paying some of the highest wages in the industry, Endicott-Johnson was consistently profitable

Installed in 1929 this carousel features 36 animals and is located adjacent to the Edicott-Johnson factories.

Installed in 1934 and restored in 1994. This carousel is located in the "Little Italy" neighborhood of Endicott.

Installed in 1925, this carousel is the only one of the carousels that has been relocated from it's original location at the old En-Joie Park 

Carousel at C. Fred Johnson Park is the largest of the Binghamton carousel with 72 figures, which was installed in 1923. This carousel is considered the most elaborate group of carvings in the collection.

Installed in 1925 the carousel includes 60 jumping horses, chariots and the original 2-roll frame WurliTzer organ.

WurliTzer Military Band Organ with bells....

Ted and Jan completed the Carousel Circuit by riding all five of the historic carousels and earned the Susquehanna Heritage Area "I Rode The Carousel Circuit" button.

Baker Clan Visit Us at Quechee Pine Valley KOA

Colby, Stella, Nona and Foster enjoy the pool during their Sunday visit...

Heading to the play ground....

Stella and Colby sailing the pirate ship...

Road side attraction on a very rain drive to our next location...

Calvin Coolidge Vermont State Historic Site

 President Calvin Coolidge State Historical Site, was the childhood home of the thirtieth President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge and the place where he took the presidential oath of office. Located in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, Coolidge lived there from age four in 1876 to 1887, when he departed for Black River Academy for education. He is buried in Plymouth Notch Cemetery not far from the home.

Calvin Coolidge birth place 0n July 4, 1872....house attached to the back of the country store.

Coolidge homestead located just across the street from birth place.

Al tho  Coolidge lived most of his life in Northampton, Massachusetts, he often returned to the homestead to visit his family, and he was staying there when President Warren G. Harding died. Coolidge was sworn in by his father in the family parlor after taking the Oath of Office for the presidency. 

This structure is on the site of the stone school that Coolidge attended. 

Today, the Coolidge Homestead is part of the Calvin Coolidge State Historical Site overseen by the state of Vermont. As far as possible the buildings have been returned to the conditions they were in when Coolidge was president.

John Calvin Coolidge Jr. ( July 4, 1872 – January 5, 1933) was the 30th President of the United States (1923–29). A Republican lawyer from Vermont, Coolidge worked his way up the ladder of Massachusetts state politics, eventually becoming governor of that state. His response to the Boston Police Strike of 1919 thrust him into the national spotlight and gave him a reputation as a man of decisive action. Soon after, he was elected as the 29th vice president in 1920 and succeeded to the presidency upon the sudden death of Warren G. Harding in 1923. Elected in his own right in 1924, he gained a reputation as a small-government conservative, and also as a man who said very little, although having a rather dry sense of humor.

Sights Around Woodstock and Quechee, VT

Woodstock, VT is located on the banks of the Ottauquechee River and the Crossroad of Vermont Scenic Byway.

The town of Woodstock is a beautiful historic area in the Green Mountains of Windsor County.

Quechee Gorge – “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon”

Some 13,000 years ago, during the Ice Age, Quechee, like the majority of our continent, was covered by a glacier. As the glacier receded from the ocean waters, the melting waters slowly and steadily cut away the bedrock ridge that has become Vermont’s most spectacular natural wonder, Quechee Gorge. 

 Vistas 168 feet above the Ottaquechee River