The new Steeplechase
Coney Island is not actually an island, but a small peninsula that hangs from the southernmost edge of Brooklyn. It is accessible by car and by subway. The neighborhood includes high-rise apartments, two-family and single-family houses and some retail businesses along Surf Avenue, Mermaid and Neptune Avenues: and the centrally located amusement area.
It is all new, the rides, the signage, the smiles
Cozy ride in the new Steeplechase
Since the early 1800s, Coney Island, “playground of the world,” has played many roles in the lives and imagination of New Yorkers and the world. From its beginnings as a quiet seaside town, Coney Island went on to boom years in the 1880s, as entrepreneurs rushed to stake their claims and make their fortunes. In 1929 with the Great Depression, Coney Island transformed.
The area became a “Nickel Empire” of cheap amusements; a nickel paid the fare on the new subway line, and visitors were greeted by the original Nathan’s, famous home of the five-cent hot dog. The amusement parks struggled to stay afloat and Coney Island began to experience hard economic times. The historic amusement area spans from West 8th to West 24th Street, and from Surf Avenue to the Atlantic Ocean. This area contains a three-mile beachfront boardwalk.
The Wonder Wheel is old, it has a long history. When I played there in the 50’s, it was my favorite ride. It doesn’t only go around, the cars slide to the end and swing way out, to and fro, with nothing beneath you. Thrilling.
Today, Coney Island is in the midst of a revival, spurred by public, private and community initiatives. In addition to amusement parks, rides and concessions, there is the New York Aquarium, KeySpan Park-home of the Brooklyn Cyclones minor league baseball team-and Asser Levy Park and Amphitheater.
Home of the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team. That structure in the back of the stadium is the famous Coney Island Parachute Jump. This is my 14×17 watercolor of the park.
With the creation of the Coney Island Development Corporation, the area is poised for further positive change, in which the Parachute Pavilion Design Competition, will play a vital part.
Sadly, Storm Sandy ripped the Island apart. It will have to be restored once again.
Have you been to Coney Island? Have any of you been there in the 50’s or 60’s? Have you indulged in Nathan’s famous hotdogs and curly fries. Ummm. Tell me your story.
I haven’t been to New York’s Coney Island, but I’e been to an amusement park outside Cincinnati in the mid-20th century also called Coney Island. This one had a notorious roller coaster called “The Wild Mouse.” In the 1970s, the property got updated and became King’s Island.
Rhonda, thanks for visiting. I am sure it was a fun park there outside Cincinnati, but once you go to Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY, you realize it is another world. There is no other like it. And of course, the original Nathan’s is there with the original cooking, no other like it, even the small kiosks called Nathan’s. And the Cyclone, a killer ride.
I’ve never been either! I hope to make it there someday. There are so many places in the United States I would love to see. I guess I better get busy because I am not getting any younger! 🙂
Ellis Island too! Don’t forget to go to Ellis Island. It has been refurbished, but the stairs that everyone walked are still in their original state with the centers all bowed. My grandfather’s name “Harry Katz” is on the wall. You could do Coney Island and Ellis Island on the same day, maybe even Lady Liberty. I understand they just (again) renovated the torch. It was about to be opened, but the storm pushed off the date. I hope it survived the storm. Coney Island has to wait for a couple of years for them to regroup after the storm. You can always check online. We were supposed to go last Saturday, November 3rd for me to take my third round of photos for my paintings. Of Course we didn’t go. I guess we’ll have to wait for things to get better again. Back to my writing . . .
Never did go, Gail! But it does sound like a magical place!
Hi Kristan, It’s like never going up into Lady Liberty. You must go someday. But don’t go now. Wait a couple of years until they rebuild and clean up. Be sure to make a stop at Nathan’s. Have a hot dog, french fries, hot corn, and don’t forget to try the chow mein sandwich. Take a walk on the beach, see the fake palm tree (a 20th century device). Ridiculous. Coney Island is full of the ridiculous. They need the fun house again, ever go to a fun house with those crooked mirrors? Take your whole family.
I have been married to my terrific wife, Gail, for almost 20 years, but she took me to Coney Island for the first time only 2 years ago! We went again last year and I even road the Cyclone, and strained my neck by not being prepared for the first decline! It was easy to see what a fun place that must have been in earlier years. We were scheduled to go again last weekend, but the Storm Sandy blew in. I hope that the area recovers (quickly).
Hi Tom, that cyclone is deceiving. I wish I could have thought to warn you of that first drop. Which car were you in? The first, the last, or in-between? I have been on it twice in my life, one time when I was seven and my father said, you won’t like it. But did I listen, nope, it scared the life out of me. Then when I was in my twenties, I tried it again. Scared me out of my mind, I cried frozen tears. I won’t try it again, for sure. The closest I will come to the cyclone, is to do more photographs and the oil painting I did. But I love the rest of Coney Island.
Oh Gail, after reading your email re: old time ice delivery, etc. and laughing as I remembered such times with my grandma and parents, I had to visit your blog. Coney Island I definitely remember as a child. I only went once or twice as traveling from midstate NY took time and money back in them there days, but gosh I remember it so well. I went as a young girl in the 50’s with my parents, brother and neighbors. Had a great time and can remember thinking how in awe I felt at seeing such a wonderful place. WOW! Does that bring back some long-buried memories. I’m still smiling thinking about how good those hotdogs were to chow down and all the fun we had racing from ride to ride like little maniacs out of control. So sorry to hear that it too suffered from Sandy. But it’s an icon and hopefully it will be readily restored–and soon. Thanks for the heartwarming trip down memory lane.
Hi Bev, It is fun when I hear about Coney Island from another who experienced this unique fun place. I love your description, “all the fun we had racing from ride to ride like little maniacs out of control.” That’s precisely the way it is to a kid. Because I was there summer-after-summer and then-some, I was able to figure out which rides were good and which rides were awful. For example, I know everyone likes the bumper cars, but I never did. I couldn’t stand the feeling in my stomach everytime a car bumped me. Isn’t that silly? Coney Island is an icon, but it has taken a beating over the last 30 or so years. Finally, some are paying attention and trying to bring back the fun. The storm and the problems with it slowed things down, but I believe it will be back in my lifetime.
I’ve never been either. I would have loved to see it in its hay-day. So many fond memories for you! My heart goes out to all those who have lost such a treasured place.
Paula, it has been 30 or so years that this amazing place has taken a beating. It is only recently that an supreme effort is being made to restore the fun. The Brooklyn Aquarium was built many years ago, but the rides are only coming back recently. The new Steeplechase park appeared in 2011 when buildings were taken down, and built the signage in my blog. They moved the original carousel to the park. I photographed it and did a painting when it was in it’s original spot. My new painting is of the new place near the Wonder Wheel. It was truly treasured.
I have never been to Coney Island, but had it on my list. I am so saddened to see so much devastation from Storm Sandy. I encourage all to get involved and reach out to them. If you can find a local organization contact them and see what they need.
Katy, fortunately there are organizations now that are caring for Coney Island. It has been difficult because of the disrespect of the neighborhood. It has gone through the pains of growth, demise, growth, demise. What most cities experience over the years. It has been on the upswing, so I expect to see all of it become what it once was in my lifetime.