F u t u r e  P l a n s S p i r i t  o f  C o l u m b i a  G a r d e n s  C a r o u s e l
Main Page Our Mission History Future Plans Columbia Gardens Butte Gardens Volunteers Donations Contact Us		In a November 26, 1997 article in The Butte Weekly, Audrey Hulsey explains the future of the "Spirit of Columbia Gardens Carousel Project." "Twenty-three years after the closure of the Columbia Gardens amusement park, a desire to reclaim, restore and preserve an important part of history has spawned a wonderful dream - to build a working carousel. The first completed horse is named "Alphabet" and is known as the community horse. The horse is decorated with all the letters of the alphabet carved around the saddle. Each letter represents the names of all Southwest Montana residents. There are five other horses under construction in the carving room located in the Butte Plaza Mall. One of these five horses will be the lead horse called "Stargazer." This horse will be decorated in memorabilia from Columbia Gardens. Thirty-one horses and two chariots are planned to be built in the future. Hooves made of copper are planned to be put on the horses, to commemorate Butte's mining heritage. The date proposed to finish the carousel is July 4, 1999, which marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Columbia Gardens. One horse was acquired from the original carousel which was very badly burned. Plans are underway to restore the horse and add it to the new carousel." There are hopes for a new Columbia Gardens to be built in uptown Butte. The location of this new park will be across from the Berkeley Pit.