May

30

NYC history lagniappe

May 30, 2024 |

Coney Island Was Once Full of Dueling, Backstabbing Theme Parks
Come one, come all to the controversial, ugly beginnings of what was once called ‘Sodom by the Sea.’

Coney Island was once a glittering star of the early 1900s. It was the Progressive Era, amusement parks were becoming enormously popular across America, and New York City’s version of roller coasters and carnival games seemed like the epitome of wholesome fun. But the beachy entertainment land was quite different than it is today. Coney Island mainly consisted of three theme parks: Steeplechase Park, Luna Park, and Dreamland. And from 1904 to 1911, all were locked into a perpetual dance of stealing acts, copying rides from each other, and some dirty competition.

Steve Ellison recalls:

We had a big Spec Party event at Coney Island in 2007 when Aubrey was still a toddler.


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