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Coney Island
Amanda DAmico
Molloy College











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When people think of Brooklyn, one of the main attractions is Coney Island. It is
one of the greatest tourist attractions in the Brooklyn/ New York City area because it is
filled with entertainment, thrilling rollercoasters and lots of good food. This upbeat
tourist attraction has been around since the 1800s and has been growing more popular
ever since. Ever since the 1800s, Coney Island has been attraction that brings people in
from all over the Long Island area and New York City. The impact of Coney Island on
New York City has been major because it gave people more opportunities for jobs and a
place to escape the nonstop city lifestyle.
Coney Island is located in the Brooklyn area and the first people who settled onto
the area first were the Dutch. They used this piece of land for hosting several battles
before they developed it into a island to live on. (Elliot, 2008, p.8) Before Coney Island
was given its name, the Dutch use to refer to it by Konijn Hok after all the rabbits they
discovered on the land. The Dutch established exceptional trade relationship with the
Chief Guttaquoh who was head of the Canarees and this relationship was key for Coney
Island getting its name because the Chief eventually created the name, Coney Island. (
Elliot, 2008, p.9) As the turn of the century came, it brought about changes socially and
economically to New York City, which contributed to the changes and building of the
infamous Coney Island. The Coney Island amusement park played a significant role in
the shift of attitudes, morals and lifestyle of the Brooklyn/ New York society. (Kasson,
1978, p. 22) As the industrial revolution started to begin in the society, it lead to more
urban cities popping up all over the region. This emergence of urban cities in the New
York area lead to more immigrants to migrate into the United States and allowing for
more entrepreneurs, a wealthier class of people to enter society. These individuals
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provided a new culture to take over and allow for more reformer in the New York and
Brooklyn area.( Kasson, 1978, p.23) According to the Amusing The Million Coney
Island, these significant changes in society and culture allowed for the growth an life of
Coney Island. (1978) Since the growth of entertainment grew in New York City with the
help of the wealthy individuals, the only way to get people into the new entertainment
was the amusement park. The conclusion for that is because the amusement park was a
new place and people from all over would go and visit, which allowed for them to
experience new forms for entertainment. (Kasson, 1978, p.43) Further more, Coney
Island has played a significant role from the beginning of the 20
th
century and since then
has allowed for the growth of Coney Island itself, but also New York City and the
Brooklyn area.
Coney Island has always been a place where determinedly family fun and a place
to intermingle. There is no place such as Coney Island with noise and playful chaos. A
quote from a Brooklyn: a state of mind, A worldwide symbol for letting the good times
roll, Coney Island often comes as a shock to people who go there and find its an actual
place (Robbins, 2001, p.46). This quote sums up the good times that people have while
visiting Coney Island and all it has to offer. One of roller coasters that Coney Island is
known for is, the Cyclone. This historical roller coaster is ride that everyone visiting the
amusement park needs to experience and see how this historical ride still brings thrill into
the riders life. Due to the rise and fall of this amusement park when people come to visit
the park itself often fascinates them. The Cyclone is just one of the several things that
this amusement park has to offer the guests who venture out to Brooklyn to enjoy some
good food and thrills.
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The real estate business of Coney Island traces back to the early 1600s when the
first settlers arrived. During this time Coney Island was apart of a town called Gravesend,
along with its natives Coney Island had been an attraction for people in the New York
region (Denson, 2002, p.2). People from every class in society found their way to Coney
Island for a day trip or even to spend the weekend and enjoy. The inspiration of this
amusement park came from the ideas of George Tilyou, who became known as the
earliest boss (Denson, 2002, p.9). Tilyou got his ideas and creation for the park from the
Coloumbian Exposition that was held in 1893, from this exposition he got took similar
ideas such as the Ferris Wheel (Denson, 2002, p.9). This feature of the Ferris wheel was
designed by the Pennsylvania Steel Company, in which he took the idea to recreate this
structure on Coney Island (Snow, 1984, p.29). In 1894 Tilyou opened up the
Steeplechase Park and began to fill it with acts and side shows thus inspired by his
travels. Tilyou acquired ideas from Fredic Thompson and opened a ride called, A Ride to
The Moon, which concentrated on all walks of life. Some other interesting rides that
Tilyou created for the visitors of Coney Island was a mechanical horse race. This ride let
people get a taste of the horse race by racing around a track for thirty seconds, complete
with hills and sharp turns (Snow, 1984, p.32). This was just one of the many attractions
incorporated for the people who traveled to Coney Island to who were craving some thrill
and excitement in their lives.
Coney Island continualness provided people with accessible and affordable day or
weekend trips for people who were looking to escape the rush of New York City or
people who even lived in the area of Brooklyn. Coney Island impacted New York City
because it created ways for people living in the city to enjoy the beach and experience a
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part of Brooklyn. Coney Island has undergone so much change and will continue to grow
and change so it makes what Coney Island is. This wonderful amusement park and Coney
Island legacy will live on forever and provide visitors with an experience theyll never
forget.



















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References
Denson, C. (2002). Coney Island: Lost and Found. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed
Press.
Eliot, M. (2008). Song of Brooklyn: an oral history of America's favorite borough. New
York: Broadway Books
Kasson, J. (1978). Amusing the Million: Coney Island at the Turn of the Century.
New York, New York: Hill and Wang.
Robbins, M. W. (2001). Brooklyn: a state of mind. New York: Workman Publisher.
Snow, R. (1984). Coney Island: A postcard journey to the city of fire. New York,
New York: Brightwaters Press.

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