Binghamton fun facts part 4

George F. Johnson was head of the Endicott Johnson Shoe Factories- a major employer of more than 20,000 people and it was him who brought carousels to the Binghamton area in the 1920s. Johnson's stipulation was that the carousels were to be free to ride, for everyone's enjoyment. There are only about 150 of these carousels still in existence and with six of them, Binghamton and its surrounding area has the largest collection. This is why Binghamton is known as the 'Carousel Capital of the World.' These remaining carousels are all open to the public during the spring, summer and fall months and all are still absolutely free for the public to ride.