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June, 2019 The Antique Shoppe Page 23
Kiddie Ride Horses

Galloped into the sunset

By: Larry LeMasters
As all parents know, a kiddie ride (sometimes “kid’s ride”) is a coin-operated LeMasters’ Antique News Service
amusement children’s ride that is commonly found outside of supermarkets.
Kiddie rides are also found in arcades, hotel game rooms, and amusement
parks, but the most profitable placing of a kiddie ride has always been outside “CHAMPION” KIDDIE RIDE HORSE
a grocery store where parents could spend the quarters just given to them in shown restored as an appaloosa.
This horse is valued at $5,000.
change. In fact, it might be argued that kiddie rides represent the largest, in
shear physical size, of all impulse purchases. And stores quickly employed
kiddie rides to lure children into wanting to go shopping with mom.
When activated by a coin (typically a dime in the 1960s and a quarter or two FANNING SPRINGS
quarters today), a kiddie ride entertained a child with a musically enhanced
motion ride. Often kiddie rides featured pedals, buttons, flashing lights, and “explore the difference”
honking horns. Point of View
James Otto Hahs of Sikeston, Missouri, invented kiddie rides in 1930. His
invention was originally called Hahs Gaited Mechanical Horse, and, as you
might guess, the original kiddie ride was a horse. Hahs initially purchased Antiques
wooden carousel horses for his kiddie rides, but wood proved to be too heavy
to provide the riding movement Hahs desired. 17452 US Hwy 19 N
Hahs invented a process that allowed him to sculpt horses from pressed Fanning Springs www.PointofViewGifts.com
aluminum, manufacturing the horses at his Hahs Machine Works in Sikeston. 10-5 Monday-Saturday
In 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, Hahs won an award for (352) 463-0718 Now Open Sunday 11-4
Invention of the Year for his aluminum kiddie ride horses.
Hahs knew he had an up-and-coming business, so he partnered with Exhibit collectibles, wood carvings, jewelry, gifts and more
Supply Company to distribute kiddie rides (as the toys came to be known). –DEALER SPACE AVAILABLE– 33
Hahs received 5% of all income, making him a wealthy man.

WILLISTON - REDDICK

Williston’s Newest Antique Store • ANTIQUE •
Back Door Antiques

36 E. Noble Ave. · Williston EMPORIUM

Antiques-Furniture-Books-Collectibles & More
17990 NW 77 Ave
th
Dixie’s Antiques Mall Reddick, FL 32686
Antiques, Collectibles & Gifts 352-591-1221
OPEN
112 W. Noble Ave. Tue-Sat 10-4
Mobile Gas “FLYING RED HORSE” Pegasus Williston, FL 32696 - OPEN DAILY 10-6 -
kiddie ride horse that, reportedly, was one of Parking
five ever made. (352) 528-2338 at rear I-75 at Exit 368
of Store
Over 8,000 sq. ft. of Air Conditioned Comfort
In 1953, Billboard magazine with 75+ “FILLED TO THE RAFTERS” booths
called kiddie rides “1953’s fastest Rental Booths Available 35 info@antiqueemporiumfl.comm 36
growing business--a rare combination Open 10-5 Mon-Sat 34 ANTIQUEEMPORIUMFL.COM
of wholesome fun and clever BackDoorAntiques.org · 352-528-0769
merchandising,” which it might
have been with the onset of the Baby OCALA - BELLEVIEW - CRYSTAL RIVER
Boomer generation.
Continued on Page 32 Heritage Antiques

DIGGERS ANTIQUE MALL aka
1811 N. PINE AVE. the Old Wander Inn
OCALA, FL 34475 103 NW Hwy. 19
352-629-5250 Historic Downtown
Open 7 Days a Week MOSSY OAKS ANTIQUE MALL Crystal River, FL 34428
352-563-5597
Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm • Sun 12-5pm 8,000 Sq. Ft. 30+ Dealers Mon-Sat 10:30-5
6260 SE 118th Place Open Daily
DiggersAntiques@gmail.com 6/10 mi. S. of Belleview on Hwy 301 Clock Repair • Post Cards
Belleview, FL 34420 Antiques • Collectibles
WE BUY AND SELL ESTATES 352-307-0090 Handpainted Furniture
CLOCK REPAIR ON SITE Offering a Dazzling Variety of Mid Century Modern
Beautiful, 1950s, ALL METAL Antique & Vintage Merchandise
“TRIGGER” KIDDIE RIDE that goes back and Professional Furniture Restoration Available www.heritageantiquesmall.com
forth, up and down, and plays the 38 Check out our albums on Facebook 40 41
“Lone Ranger” music theme.