![]() It wasn’t just any circus carousel but an 1890 Herschell & Spillman carousel mounted on a wagon to be transported around the countryside. In the late-1980s “Sam went to an auction for a tractor and came home with a carousel,” Elaine said. The old homestead and Carousel Depot feature gifts and collectibles and toys. Today the barn is home to Brass Lantern Country Interiors and a number of other small shops. Since then the Willards developed the Christmas tree farm and plant market into a full service garden center. The Snipes family leased a corner of the property for a garden center from 1985-95. Indian Walk was taking on a life of its own. Moyer Meats and the Amish brought in their fare and the plant market grew to include a farmers’ market. Sam saw the barn being used for storage so he cleared it out and converted it. During the winter they sold Christmas trees, and eventually set up a plant market in the spring and summer months. The Willards purchased the farm from Sol Feinstone in the mid 1960s. Located off Route 413 just north of the Wrightstown Road intersection, Indian Walk was originally obtained from the Lenni Lenape by William Penn as part of the Walking Purchase, hence the name. “It was a Christmas tree farm first…Sam has been selling Christmas trees at Jug Hill Tree Farm since he was a senior in high school.” “We started small,” explained Elaine Willard. ![]() Growth and adaptivity have been part of the secret of the Willards’ family operations. Today Carousel Village has found its way into the world of Bucks County tourism, with coupons and discounts to the gardens, shops and family entertainment included in the “Discover Bucks: Be a Tourist in Your Own County” program. What began as a seasonal venture over 40 years ago would become a lifetime adventure for Sam and Elaine Willard, owners of Carousel Village at Indian Walk. ![]()
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