ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A local landmark is gone.
Monday, the carousel in Davenport Park, in St. Augustine was dismantled and taken away.
The iconic carousel in St.Augustine is coming down. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/PeennVTG6L
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) September 16, 2019
Every swing of the hammer was bittersweet for families who grew up with the ride.
Marianne Turner told Action News Jax, "It's just, it's very special. It's a great landmark."
Family members of the owner, who passed away on Thursday, Sept. 5, were there as the carousel was being dismantled.
Horses are coming off the carousel. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/SovJsOMQGu
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) September 16, 2019
The owner's sisters Kathleen Nasrey and Colleen Anderson said her brother's last wish was to have it moved to Port Charlotte.
She described, "He said, I want to bring it home. I want to hire people to fix it and then we'll find somewhere to put it."
According to a spokesperson with the City of St. Augustine it's too soon to know what's next for the piece of property the family leased for the carousel.
We’re told a truck will be here this morning to take the carousel to its new home. @ActionNewsJax @WOKVNews pic.twitter.com/kFzZCYbOBV
— Beth Rousseau (@BethANJax) September 16, 2019
Locals said they'd like to see a tribute to the ride's owner.
Turner explained, "This is a lot of memories for visitors and residents alike."
Nasrey said she feels her brother in every memory shared around the beloved carousel.
She described, "We rode it for the last time, had a lot of good cries and … thank you, St. Augustine."
According Nasrey the carousel will spend 6 months to a year being refurbished and then set up in a currently unknown public location.
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