Where Is The Oldest Ferris Wheel In America?

Ferris wheels are a theme park and carnival staple that offer views from new heights. Even those who decide to stay on the ground can't deny that there's something dreamy about looking towards the sky and watching this steel contraption go round and round. But did you know that Ferris wheels are an American invention from 1893? The original made its debut at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and, per Smithsonian Magazine, was destroyed in the early 1900s. Yet there is another Ferris wheel from 1893 that still survives today, making it the oldest in the country: the Phoenix Wheel. Contrary to its name, it's not located in the major Arizona city with the same, but rather in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

Painted in an electric red shade, it looms over this borough in a park that's adjacent to French Creek. Interestingly, the Phoenix Wheel has only been here since 2026. The 78-foot structure could originally be found in Asbury Park, New Jersey, a coastal city about two hours away. So why is it now in Phoenixville, you might be asking? This Pennsylvania borough just outside of Philadelphia has industrial roots and was once home to the Phoenix Iron and Steel Company, which, according to WHYY, created this structure.

While the Phoenix Iron and Steel Company has been defunct since 1987, the Phoenix Wheel has prevailed, much to the delight of the local community. "The Phoenix Wheel is finally back where it belongs, and seeing it standing in downtown Phoenixville is something special," states a review from Google. However, there's one thing you should know: you can't actually ride the Phoenix Wheel.

The Phoenix Wheel isn't just the oldest Ferris wheel in America. This structure in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, is believed to be the oldest of its kind in the world, beating out Austria's Wiener Riesenrad, built in 1897. However, the Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel, as it's known, is operational. The Phoenix Wheel, on the other hand, functions only as a work of art. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that this is for financial reasons. Put simply, it took significant funding for the Phoenix Wheel to be installed in Phoenixville in the first place – over $2 million, to be exact.

The Phoenix Wheel stood in Asbury Park, one of America's best beaches with a lively boardwalk, from 1895 to 1988. In fact, this underrated seaside city is a favorite Bruce Springsteen travel destination, and the Phoenix Wheel can be seen on the cover of the rocker's compilation album, "The Live Series: Songs of New Jersey." The Schuylkill River Heritage Center, which is based in Phoenixville, eventually tracked down, purchased, and put together the dismantled structure. It should be mentioned that if the Schuylkill River Heritage Center obtains the necessary funds, the Phoenix Wheel could one day be back in action. 

But for now, the Phoenix Wheel is an object to admire. The park where it now resides allows visitors to get a close look at this 19th-century structure. "I think people don't often understand the indirect value that projects like this bring to a community," said a Reddit user. "I think it's really cool. I lived in London and we had the London Eye. Now we'll have the Phoenix Wheel! It's ok that it's a sculpture," wrote another.