For generations, people from all over the world have flocked to Coney Island, New York, for summer fun. From the boardwalk to the annual hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s, the Mermaid Parade, and the rides and arcade at Luna Park, there’s always plenty to do and see.
Except for this year.
Image Credit: Sherman Oaks Antique Mall / Getty Images.
No arcade, no rides
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While the boardwalk and beach are open, with light crowds mostly practicing social distancing, Luna Park announced that it would remain closed indefinitely due to COVID-19.
As an ode to Coney Island memories over the years, here’s a virtual trip through the rides and attractions that make Coney Island the beloved summer destination it is.
See more: 75 weird facts you may not believe are true.
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1884: The first roller coaster in America arrives in Coney Island
Dubbed the “Gravity Switchback Railway,” this historical coaster was designed by LaMarcus Adna Thompson in 1881 and was brought to life three years later. It is said that Thompson based the design off of a coal-mining train turned thrill ride called the Mauch Chunk Switchback Railway in 1827.
At a hefty fee of five cents to ride, people had to climb a tower to sit in the broad bench-like cars the ride provided. The coaster then sped down a track at 6 miles per hour to another tower, which then connected to a return track — hence the name “Switchback Railway.”
Image Credit: Boris23 / WikiMedia Commons.
1897: Steeplechase Park is born
Founded by George C. Tilyou and operating from 1897 to 1964, it was the first of four Coney Island amusement parks. The successors include Luna Park (1903-1944), Dreamland (1904-1911), Astroland (1962-2008), and a second Luna Park (2010 to present).
The main attraction of Steeplechase Park was, of course, the horse-based Steeplechase ride. Riders would begin at a horse-race-like starting line and sit in horse-shaped cars that would release simultaneously to simulate competition.
Image Credit: Public domain / WikiMedia Commons.
1907: Steeplechase Park burns
The park was destroyed in a fire in 1907 but was quickly rebuilt. It still holds the record as the longest-running Coney Island park at 67 years of operation, eventually shutting down due to a rise in crime, competition from other vacation spots, and residential development.
Image Credit: Historic American Buildings Survey / WikiMedia Commons.
1903: The original Luna Park opens
The early 20th-century version of the modern-day park was located on Surf Avenue between 8th Street, 12th Street, and Neptune Avenue. Founded by Frederic Thompson and Elmer “Skip” Dundy, the name was based on the wildly successful ride “A Trip to the Moon,” rode via an “airship.”
Image Credit: Public domain / WikiMedia Commons.
1944: Luna Park also burns
Unfortunately, the first Luna Park also was destroyed in a fire in 1944 and never reopened due to a dispute over insurance money. The location of the original Luna Park now holds an apartment complex called the Luna Park Houses.
Image Credit: Brooklyn Museum / WikiMedia Commons.
1925: The original Thunderbolt Coaster
While the original Luna Park was still in operation, the wooden Thunderbolt roller coaster, designed by John Miller, was built. It operated until 1982.
The ruins of the original coaster were featured in a Spike Lee film titled “He Got Game” in 1998 in its broken-down state, as cover-art for the band Red House Painter’s 1993 album and in the 2000 film “Requiem for a Dream.”
It was finally demolished in 2000.
Image Credit: The Harold Hahn Company / WikiMedia Commons.
1927: The Cyclone roller coaster makes history
After Thunderbolt received widespread success, entrepreneur brothers Jack and Irving Rosenthal invested $100,000 to build their own roller coaster. With the help of Vernon Keenan, a roller coaster designer, The Cyclone was built, and riders could experience it for only 25 cents a ride.
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The Cyclone becomes a top visitor attraction.
Dubbed as the “Big Momma” of Coney Island, it remains today one of the most popular New York City attractions for visitors. The coaster was named a New York City landmark in 1988 and a National Historic landmark in 1991.
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1939: The Parachute Jump
Originally named “The Jump” and described as “flying in a free fall,” the ride attracted over half a million visitors annually until it closed in 1964.
Today, the Parachute Jump still stands and is an official New York City designated landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Image Credit: Gottscho-Schleisner, Inc., photographer / WikiMedia Commons.
2013: The Parachute Jump gets a new look
The Parachute Jump was restored as part of a $2 million restoration project of Luna Park in 2013. It is adorned with more than 8,000 LED lights.
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2010: Luna Park returns
The amusement park was renamed and rejuvenated in May of 2010, adding more than 200 jobs to the local community. Rebuilt by Central Amusement International, the park now has 19 attractions for amusement park goers to enjoy.
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So long, Astroland
Luna Park now operates in the same space as Astroland, the previous amusement park in operation from 1962 until 2008.
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2013: The B&B Carousel is restored
Coney Island’s “last traditional carousel” from the early 20th century has more than 50 hand-carved wooden horses and two chariots. It also was spruced up as part of the restoration project.
Image Credit: Peter Greenberg / WikiMedia Commons.
2014: The new Thunderbolt roller coaster comes out to play
A hunk of steel and a chunk of change ($10 million, to be exact) later, the new iteration of the Thunderbolt roller coaster opened in the summer of 2014.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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