"[1] Inspired by the beauty and craftsmanship of the ponies, Kaparich decided he wanted to buy a carousel horse for himself.

Fried commented on the professionalism of the carving and called Missoula "a shining example to the rest of the United States, inspiring other townships to create their own home-and-hand-made carousels.

"[3] In 1918 the Alan Herschell-Spillman Company of North Tonawanda, New York, created a 38-animal carousel adorned with dogs, frogs, zebras, and roosters as well as horses.

[4] In 1959, Bob Anderson of California erected the Herschell-Spillman carousel at Incline Village amusement park near Lake Tahoe, Nevada, better known as Ponderosa Ranch where the 1960s television western Bonanza was filmed.

The Montana man purchased the frame because it came as part of a package deal with a small children's train.

[7] In 1994, over $200,000 for building construction were raised through auctions, private donations and band organ song "adoptions".

About five years later, volunteers reunited to build an addition to A Carousel for Missoula; an outdoor park named Dragon Hollow.

[11] A staff composed entirely of volunteers completed the carving, sanding and painting of the 38 ponies and two chariots, as well as the other decorative pieces.

Carving classes taught over 50 volunteers how to create gargoyles, mirror frames, and the horses' legs, bodies, manes, and heads.

A restoration and mechanical crew revitalized the parts and pieces of the carousel frame Kaparich had purchased.

The ponies, weighing 120 to 200 pounds (54 to 91 kg) when completed, were carved from basswood, the soft yet durable wood of linden trees.

"[1] Kaparich said he believes "the diversity of Missoula's horses came from the decision to adopt them out to donors, who then had rights to the design.

A hand-carved wooden dragon, named Lucky Red Ringer, was made as a unique way for riders to play the historical brass ring game.

The organ was enclosed by an 8-foot-high, 17-foot-wide, wooden facade depicting a medieval scene with cliffs, castles, knights and dragons, all hand-carved by Glenn Watters of Missoula in less than two years.

[2] During non-public hours the carousel can be rented for private events and celebrations for 100 sit-down, or 200 standing room guests.