BROOKLYN COLLEGE LIBRARY ARCHIVES

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Accession Number #2009-004

Historical Note

In 1609, Henry Hudson discovered Coney Island. It would become a major resort after the Civil War and the site of popular amusement parks by the early twentieth century. Tourists traveled far and wide to experience Coney Island as did many New Yorkers who took day trips to Coney Island to escape the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.

       1829 was the year that the Coney Island House opened. With the creation of “Shell Road,” Coney Island was connected to Brooklyn and began its life as a seaside resort. By 1860, railroads, street car lines, and steamship lines had all reached the area. With such unbridled access to the beach came major hotels, public and private beaches, horse racing, amusement parks, and entertainment like Three Card Monte, other gambling games, and even prostitution. By the early part of the twentieth, when Brooklyn Transit Company electrified the steam railroads and connected Brooklyn to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island became a way to escape the city.

       There were many main attractions that enticed people to come and visit the beach, the boardwalk, and the growing number of rides. One of the main ones was the Parachute Jump, which had once been part of the 1939 New York’s World Fair. The Cyclone, originally called the Switchback, and Wonder Wheel (a ferris wheel with both stationary and rocking cars) were just as popular. Rides became the biggest draw –of course after the welcoming beachfront land itself.

       The first enclosed permanent amusement park in North America opened in Coney Island in 1895 and it was called Sea Lion Park in 1895. It was built by Paul Boyton. The park had an aquatic show, water rides, and a rollercoaster. Competition arose with George Tilyou’s Steeplechase Park which opened in 1897. Boyton was unable to compete with the rides and attractions at Steeplechase Park and closed Sea Lion Park in 1902. By 1907 Steeplechase Park was destroyed by fire, but partially rebuilt in 1908. The Parachute Jump, purchased after the 1939 World’s Fair, was very successful, however by 1964, much had changed at Steeplechase Park and the park closed due to accidents, clashes between Tilyou family members, and rising crime in the Coney Island neighborhood. In 1903, Fredrick Thompson and Elmer Dundy had purchased land around Coney Island and created Luna Park which also became very popular, but it too closed after several fires. After 1945, it officially closed and the land was used for various venues until Astroland was built.

       Astroland opened in 1962 based on America’s advances in space travel. It was viewed as a space aged theme park. The idea for Astroland belonged to Dewey Albert and his friends Nathan Handwerker, Herman Rapps, Sydney Robbins, and Paul Yampo. The men formed a corporation called Coney Island Enterprises. By 1957, Rapps and Albert opened Wonderland, which became known as Astroland. Over the years, there have been 22 rides for adults, 14 rides for children, along with games, arcades, and restaurants.

       In November 2006, the Albert family sold Astroland for $30 million to Thor Equities. Rumors spread about what was to happen to the amusement park. Presently Thor Equities is planning on building a $1.5 billion year-round resort. As part of the agreement with the Albert family, the Cyclone, Astrotower, and Water Flume continued to operate temporarily. In April 2007, Astroland celebrated its 45th anniversary of its opening, but in September 2008 it officially closed to the public for good. Astroland is considered the last amusement park at Coney Island.

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