History
“When you are at Coney you cast aside your hampering reason and become a plain lunatic" -James Gibbons Huneker (Kasson 96)
Coney Island started as a long strip of beach but has been transformed into a place like no other. Through its dynamic history, this bit of land off the coast of New York influenced America at the turn of the century. The elements of Coney Island "constituted the counterculture of Victorian America; their activities, and an inversion of genteel cultural norms" (Kasson 29). From its meager beginnings as a beach, through the reign of colorful mob bosses and luxury hotels, to three amusement parks that astounded the nation, Coney shaped not only how people saw leisure, but themselves.
While seedy, its past increased revenue and enabled real estate moguls to inhabit the island and transform the beach. With the rise of the luxury hotels, weekend trips were just a train ride away, and soon Coney was a hot spot for the upper class socialites. Once the middle class started visiting too, interest peaked in entertainment. Thus, Sea Lion Park was born. Soon to follow were the big three; Steeplechase, Luna Park, and Dreamland.
Each of the parks had their own unique qualities which helped to distinguish them from one another, but each shared grandiose architecture reflective of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and a thirst for bigger and better inventions as to one-up each other. With the relaxed atmosphere, visitors could forget their troubles, let their hair down, and enjoy the ride. Literally.
Continue reading > Early Coney
