The story of the carousel in America can be traced back to 1837 when Michael Dentzel traveled in horse drawn wagons the southern German countryside with his portable hand carved machine, going from fair to fair or market. Michael's sons followed in his footsteps and were all sent by their father to try their hands in America. Michael's second eldest son, Gustav, emigrated to America in 1864, introducing America's first amusement park carousel, brought over on a sailing ship from Germany. Gustav worked very hard and found himself hiring many German and Italian immigrants, who were trained in the old country, to do the carving. These carvers were classically trained as apprentices and carvers of saints for the churches. The mechanisms made by the Dentzel Carousel Company were noted for there good design and operation.

Gustav's two sons, William and Edward, continued their father's craft after his death in 1908 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. William, the older of the brothers, embellished the carousel and took it to its grandest state of development. The family's carousel business continued to flourish under the management of his sons where it remained until William H. Dentzel's death in 1928. At that time, Edward was in southern California setting-up and operating carousels. Soon afterwards Edward gave up the carousel business and stayed in California to build homes in Beverly Hills. He served on Beverly Hills City Council from 1933 to 1948 and was mayor in 1946 and 1947.

Of the many carousels produced by the Dentzel family from 1837 to 1928, some as large as 54 feet in diameter carrying 72 animals and four chariots, scarcely two dozen are in operation today. Three are preserved in museums. Many other machines have ceased to exist due to the ravages of use, weather and time without adequate support systems. Because of their unique style and high value, others have been put out of operation through removal of their hand carved figures by avid collectors. In addition to the excellence of their craftsmanship, Dentzel carousels were also noted for a unique feature introduced to America by Gustav's father, Michael, the carving and use of menagerie animals in addition to the horses and chariots. Dentzel Cats, Rabbits, Giraffes, Lions, Tigers, Deer, Goats, Pigs, Donkeys, Kangaroos, Buffaloes, Ostriches, Dogs, and more have become synonymous with the carousel.