Photo: Jason Kempin / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
Lancaster County is paying tribute to the legendary Dolly Parton, who passed away on Tuesday (August 25) at the age of 80. Parton is fondly remembered in the area for her connection to the historic Rocky Springs Carousel, which she brought to her Dollywood Amusement Park in Tennessee after the closure of Rocky Springs amusement park in Lancaster.
The carousel, known as the Stoner Carousel, was returned to Lancaster in the late 1990s. The animals from the carousel have been on display at the Steeple View Lofts in Lancaster City since November 2025, awaiting a permanent home. Recently, the Rocky Springs Carousel Association and the Choo Choo Barn Foundation signed an agreement to restore and display the carousel permanently in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, as reported by Coaster101.
Parton's ties to Lancaster extend beyond the carousel. She performed at the Shindig at Cripple Creek amphitheater near Strasburg in the early 1970s with her former partner, Porter Wagoner. Her philanthropic efforts also reached the area through her Imagination Library, which has provided free books to children in Lancaster County, including partnerships with local school districts like Pequea Valley and Conestoga Valley, according to LancasterOnline.
Dolly Parton's impact on music and philanthropy is well-documented. She sold over 100 million records and won 11 Grammy Awards. Her Imagination Library, founded in 1995, has distributed millions of books worldwide, fostering a love for reading among young children. Her contributions to the arts and her charitable work have left an indelible mark on communities across the globe, including Lancaster County, as noted by WGAL.