In 1872 the Armitage-Herschell Company established itself as an iron foundry in North Tonawanda, forging iron farm equipment, storm sewer grates, and other implements, including steam boilers that powered many farm machines. After Allan Herschell discovered an early carrousel in New York City that was propelled by a steam boiler like the one he was manufacturing, he decided to begin a carousel manufacturing business. With plentiful lumber, German wood carvers in North Tonawanda, and nearby rail and water transportation, the company shipped its first Steam Riding Gallery from the factory in 1883. Disastrous real estate investments led to the demise of the Armitage-Herschell Company in the early 1900's, and its assets were sold to the Herschell-Spillman Company, which continued producing steam operated carrousels and went on to become the world's largest producer of amusement rides of all kinds. An early company catalog described the portable boiler and engine used to drive these machines as especially convenient, with a boiler 30 inches in diameter and 45 inches high, containing 50 two-inch tubes, stay bolted around the fire box, reinforced at the steam pipe openings, fitted with a hand-hole for cleaning the crown sheet, and mounted on strong axles, springs, and wide-tired iron wheels, while the newly designed double engine had two cylinders, two connecting rods, a double-throw crank shaft, and fully adjustable parts.