This was a fixture for seventy years until Brown's son-in-law passed away and the horses were sold in 1945 to Macy's Department Store for their Christmas display. The carousel was first manually turned, then replaced later by a real live horse, then by a steam driven engine for its five minute trip. Joseph Brown, a native of Bavaria, was an expert woodcarver who carved all the animals by hand. In 1870, one of the most popular rides was Brown's Flying Horses carousel.They are still in operation, as the fourth generation of Hobbs' continue to sell salt-water taffy, homemade ice cream and popcorn. Everett Hobbs and Wilbur Eaton began selling popcorn in the mid 1880's at a concession in the pavilion. A fixture at the Willows is Hobbs' popcorn and ice cream stand.Other restaurants were Ebsen's and Downing's and Swenbeck's. One of the most popular eateries was Chase's Willow House which opened in 1874.Duke Ellington was just one of the famous jazz performers to play there. This nightspot attracted big bands from around the country and was one of the social centers of the North Shore. Charleshurst Ballroom which opened in the 1920's, was owned by Charles Schribman.People were carried up to the top of a tall slide in small "boats" and then sped down a long track into a pool of water below. The water chute (also called the toboggan slide) at the intersection of Fort and Columbus Avenue was popular. Popular bands like Salem Cadet Band played outside at the Willows Park Theatre. The major attractions were the Willows Pavilion, originally home to a skating rink and restaurant. The park opened for business in 1880 and was immediate popular.It also started acquiring land for a planned amusement park", according to Jim McAllister in the News. In 1877, the Naumkeag Street Railway Company began "running horse-drawn trolleys to Salem Willows.The Salem Willows Park is a 35 acre waterfront site was designated a city park in 1858 and is named for the original white willow trees that were planted there around 1800.
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