Arkansas Invention That Has Delighted Kids at Christmas for Years

The Christmas season can be a very joyous occasion when it comes to remembering a special gift or toy you received under the tree Christmas morning.

The good folks at Fun in Arkansas sparked a childhood memory when they showed a picture of a vintage rocking horse with springs. It was called the Wonder Horse and it was created in Arkansas by William Baltz, from Pocahontas. The whole idea for the horse came from riding his children on his leg, Baltz wanted to give a gift to his son for Christmas in 1939 so he made the wooden horse and suspended it on a wooden frame with heavy-grade springs for rocking back and forth. See Baltz's original wonder horse here.

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His son Billy loved it so much that other kids in the neighborhood wanted one too. So, Baltz set out on a mission to start making them and began marketing the rocking horse in 1949. During that time Arkansas was known as the "Wonder State" so he named the toy the Wonder Horse. The red version was the one that was mass-produced and patented for selling purposes.

The Wonder Horse became very popular with young children up to 7 years old during the 1950s and into the 80s. Through the years various models of the horse were created and gave instant gratification to children all over the world.

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I was a very small child when I got my first Wonder Horse under the Christmas tree and my eyes lit up the moment I saw it. My parents even bought me a cowboy hat with a toy gun and holster so every time I climbed on the horse, I would feel just like a real cowboy. That was one of the most memorable Christmases I can recall along with my brother growing up in Texarkana.

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The Randolph County Heritage Museum in Arkansas has an original version of the horse on display where visitors can learn more about its history and origin. Thanks to William Baltz his idea has given a generation of families something to remember for a lifetime.

You can purchase a vintage Wonder Horse on eBay.

What about you? Do you ever get a Wonder Horse for Christmas? Do you have any great memories?

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Categories: Arkansas News, Holidays, Lifestyles