Anthony Loudis and his Carousel, 1925
The original members of the Loudis family (6 brothers) immigrated from Corleto-e-Perticara, in the Basilicata region of Italy, in the 1880's. The family name was originally "Laudisio", but as they settled in the Albany region of NY, they shortened it to the less mellifluous "Loudis". The four of the six brothers, Antuono, Frank, Tony and Michael, were accomplished musicians; the "Loudis Brother's Quartette," a chamber ensemble, played at many a lively NY-Govenor's party under four different administrations. Tony (Anthony), my grandfather, the man with a hat and white shirt in the center-left of the picture, also owned a carousel, which he took on the road during the summer months. Later on, George (Ceasare) Loudis settled in Schenectady, and Rocco Loudis settled in Utica.
His brothers Frank and Michael also owned carousels. Frank's Carousel was set up during the summer months at Shaeffer's Grove, outside Albany. Michael's carousel was also a travelling carousel.
