Description Ferris Wheel Seats

Pictou – A very unique ferris wheel on the property of Robert Johnston, Front Street, here has been catching the interest and attention of people.

In fact during the annual lobster carnival in July many thought the wheel was part of the celebrations.

Johnston explained the wheel was erected as a memorial to his late father, Twitter Johnston who was a well known figure in the town before he passed away in 1962. His father began building the ferris wheel in 1956 and it was completed in 1958. His father had been employed at Ferguson Industries for a number of years and had cooperation from the local ship building firm and the employees there in the construction of the wheel. “My dad was acquainted with the majority of workmen at the plant and I suppose you could say he scrounged and talked the workmen into helping him build the wheel. The fabrication was carried out by bits and pieces until it was finally completed.”

His father had no plans or drawings to go by except his experience gained by working with Bill Lynch and Elliot carnivals.

Robert said that his father had his own show for a spell. “It was called the Johnston’s Toyland Show and it was a family operated venture with his sons working with their father during the summers.”

He said it was his experience working with the Lynch and Elliot shows that provided him with the experience and initiation to build the ferris wheel.

Bob said when his father had the family show on the road many of the old-timers he became acquainted with working the other carnivals came out of retirement to work with him.

The wheel is small in comparison to those used in carnivals in past decades and this type was used primarily for the benefit of children.

The wheel had been dismantled for sometime and his decision to erect it on his property was a two-fold purpose, in memory of his late father and also because it would be a point of interest for local people and visitors.

“Even though there is no motor attached making the wheel operable it has fulfilled the purposes for which it was erected judging by the interest and comments,” Bob said.

 

 

This ferris wheel on a property on front street in Pictou has been attracting a lot of attention from local residents and visitors. Owned by Robert Johnston and built by his father, the wheel is a memorial to the late Twitter Johnston.

 

(News photo by Ted Hale)