CONEY ISLAND

Brooklyn, NY

Between 1880 and World War II, Coney Island was the largest amusement area in the United States, attracting several million visitors per year. At its height, it contained three competing major amusement parks—Luna Park, Dreamland, and Steeplechase Park. The area was also the center of new technological events, including the use of electric lights and the roller coasters By the first decade of the 20th century, Coney Island was seen as a top vacation spot and a symbol of Americans' increasing pride. Julian Ralph described Coney Island in 1896 as "the first made-to-order resort in America. Charles I. D. Looff, a Danish woodcarver, built the first carousel and amusement ride at Coney Island. The very first roller coaster at Coney Island was the Switchback Railway, a gravity coaster installed by Adna Thompson. Nearby was the Elephantine Colossus, a seven-story building (including a brothel) in the shape of an elephant. Until its demolition, the elephant was the first sight to greet immigrants arriving in New York, who would see it before they saw the Statue of Liberty. Sadly, crime and corruption in Coney Island were also prevalent. The leader of this corruption was John McKane, who ran prizefighting rings behind the elephant, until he was arrested and sentenced in 1894.

The occasion was a family visit to New York, when we decided to escape the metropolis, and all become children again. Cotton candy, a 150-foot Ferris wheel and beath-taking roller coasters. Fun.- Fun – Fun.