Work has begun to dismantle the iconic Seaside Heights carousel in an effort to move and restore it.

The carousel was built in 1910 has been in the same spot in Casino Pier for over 80 years.

Floyd Moreland, 77, operated the carousel for 30 years and has spent several years working to restore it.

“I fell in love with it when I was a little guy. It means dreams. When riding that, you can be what you want, think what you want,” he says.

The dismantling is the first phase of the project. The horses were moved into a nearby building. It is part of a $2 million project to move and restore the iconic attraction.

“It’s been here since 1937 in the same spot,” says Seaside Heights Mayor Tony Vaz. “They don’t know what they’ll find. Will they find it an easy project to take it apart? Or a hard project? Ans is it all workable?”

It is expected to take several weeks to disassemble the ride and a few years to put it back together.

“I always thought of this carousel as the soul the boardwalk,” says Moreland. “It’s still going to be the soul of the boardwalk a few years down the road.

The carousel will eventually be moved to a new building on Samson Avenue.

Seaside Heights officials are hoping it raise $750,000 in donations to help refurbish the ride.