Charles Looff was a German master carver and builder of hand-carved carousels and amusement rides, who immigrated to the United States of America in 1870. During his lifetime, he built over 40 carousels, several amusements parks, numerous roller coasters and Ferris wheels, and built California's famous Santa Monica Pier. The Crescent Park Carousel was his crown jewel and is the largest and most elaborate carousel he ever constructed.