In the cavernous basement of Akron’s O’Neil’s building, rows of carousel horses stand at attention. They are poised; their knees are bent, their nostrils flared.
Among the horses is scattered an occasional tiger, ostrich or cat with an eyepatch. Most days, all are covered by a tarp.
Around them, wrapped and cordoned off by fencing, are scenic panels that depict the Civic Theatre, Stan Hywet Hall, Derby Downs and the Akron Air Dock, among other local landmarks. And then there are the guts of the carousel: the motor and pulley and gears…