WHERE THE HORSES SUCCUMBED

Ahhh... Kathe - Columbia Gardens, I remember it well. As a young lad my folks always stopped there while on our annual pilgrimage to Yellowstone. Secretly, it was my most favorite place to visit. When I took my new bride to visit it's treasured rides back in 1975, I was shocked to see that it no longer existed. Even though by then I was living in Washington state, I couldn't believe that no one in the family had mentioned its demise. I'm glad to see that there are those that still remember and are working towards restoring the carousel.

Don Ralstin

So good to know you recall the Gardens like we old Buttites do. I'm glad you prized that place as I wrote it. Thanx Don.....K

It is sad that so many wonderful things of the past become extinct in the name of "progress." I think todays youth are missing a wonderful experience. Most have no idea what a carousel is, let alone riding on one. It is also sad there are so many toxic places created by big companies and then not cleaned up.
Fred

There's a lot of strip mining going on in the rockies. I've winessed a lot of beautiful areas full of wildlife destroyed and turned into eyesores over the decades. Such a sad shame too.
Thanks

Agreed - whoever you are friend. Sad thing is, Butte's mining ventures have slowed considerably over these last years and now they spend public funds on fancy tourist overlooks into an enormous poisonous lake created by mining that kills wildlife. We'll surely never see another Columbia Gardens, but now I wonder if we'll ever see our beloved carousel again. Kath

Kathe, Nothing is as beautiful as those fast disappearing carousel horses. There were two in an antique shop on my way to my migraine doc in Buffalo. I have no idea where they are now as the place closed. They are a happy memory from our past that I will always cherish.
Pam

Hi Kathe,
Your factual story brought back fond memories for me of carousel rides at various county fairs and carnivals over the years. My grown children and young grandson have also ridden magnificent, colorful merry-go-round horses similar to the ones you so aptly described.
I do hope that some future day a place similar to Columbia Gardens in Butte will be part of the Montana landscape.
Blessings,
Sandi in FL.

Dear Friend,
I've been reading lately in the newspapers about the Columbia Gardens.
What a delight to read it again, through you and picture it through your eyes.
Thank you for all the pleasure and enjoyment you supply to us.
Toni W.

Kathe, I never shared those memories, have never seen any part of Montana, but the sentiment is a powerful and familiar one. What has happened to our world that there are so few parks as grand as they were when we were young? Thank God for memories!

Kathe, your story was powerful and sad. What a shame that good things can go bad. I sincerely hope this carousel gets resurrected in a manner of speaking, and the horses ride again.
Maria H.