Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Caption |
Giant Stride playground equipment |
Description |
Color photograph of a "Giant Stride" flying merry-go-round. It was originally located next to McLeod County School District #48 in Bergen Township. The school closed in 1954. It was on the Halvorson farm property, owned by Gary Halvorson in 2015. Bill Schwarze organized the renovation of the "Stride" for display at the 2015 McLeod County Fair. Most of the work and materials were provided by his neighbors and friends from Bergen Township and Glencoe: Mark & Mason Ahlbrecht, Francis Burch, Larry Ide, Albert & Paul Teubert, Steve Jerabek, John Lemke and Maynard Grenke. The "Giant Stride" was used on playgrounds around America beginning in the early part of the 20th century. They were mostly discontinued by the 1960s for safety reasons. The children would grab the chain ladders and run at increasingly fast speed until the centrifugal would cause their feet to leave the ground. Many times the small or slower children would get rammed into the center pole causing bruises and fractures. At times a child would decide to quit participating and the empty flying chain would hit one of the riders in the face, causing lacerations and dislodged teeth. The children loved these 'Strides" but parents and supervisors not so much. [Notes by Elizabeth Schwarze.] |
Catalog Number |
2016-0061-025 |
Search Terms |
May poles Giant Strides School District #48, Bergen Township Playgrounds Swings |
Subjects |
Playgrounds May poles Swings |
People |
Halvorson, Gary Schwarze, William |