Chris
There’s just something magical about old-school Coney Island. Maybe it’s the clackety sounds of the wooden roller coasters or the way the salty ocean breeze mixes with the scent of funnel cakes and hot dogs. Either way, Coney Island was the place to be when it came to summer thrills and boardwalk chills.
These vintage photos transport us back to a time when swimsuits were made of wool, rides were completely dangerous, and the joy was absolutely off the charts. Whether you went for the rides, the sideshows, or just to people-watch with a lemonade in hand, there’s no denying Coney Island had (and still has) that iconic, slightly chaotic charm.
1. Visitors enjoying a ride in Coney Island — Dreamland, Luna Park. March 19, 1966.
2. Three girls on a giant slide at Coney Island, circa 1953.
3. Coney Island thriving back in the 50s.
4. Coney Krewe: 1913. “Mardi Gras parade, Coney Island.”
5. “On the beach, Coney Island.” circa 1905.
6. Those kids are having far more fun than the rest of us.
7. People on the Coney Island Rotor Ride before it was shut down for safety reasons in the 1950s.
8. Coney Island, New York City photographed in 1903. (color added later)
9. Traver Circle Swing, circa 1905.
10. A couple trying to keep their balance on the Barrel Of Love, a rotating ride at the Steeplechase Park. Coney Island, circa 1940s.
11. View from the Ferris wheel at Coney Island, July 5, 1947.
12. The beach blanket toss is a guaranteed good time.
13. “Dreamland Ballroom.” The home of light music. circa 1905.
14. “Fighting the Flames, Dreamland, Coney Island.” circa 1905.
15. “Dreamland Park – Shooting the Chutes, Coney Island.” circa 1905.
16. Dreamland, Coney Island amusement park, New York, 1905. (color added later)
17. “The Ponies, Coney Island.” circa 1904.
18. The summer crowd at Nathan’s Famous, Coney Island, NYC, 1947.
19. “Crowd at Coney Island.” circa 1940.
20. “Picnicing on the beach – a hasty lunch.” circa 1905.
21. Folks strolled the Coney Island Boardwalk before the summer crowds came, circa 1940s.
22. Looks to be another beautiful day out at the park.
23. A group of grandmothers rides the pigs on a carousel at Steeplechase Park.
24. That looks like too much fun.
25. What a grand entrance.
26. Now that looks like a fun train ride if I’ve ever seen one.
27. They don’t exactly look thrilled.
28. She looks like she might be having a tough day. circa 1974.
29. Yeah, I’ll take some sweet corn. circa 1966.
30. The Helter Skelter, Luna Park, Coney Island. circa 1905.
31. Dreamland Midland Mystery, Coney Island, circa 1901.
32. “Fighting the Flames, Dreamland, Coney Island.” circa 1905.
33. Boardwalk at Coney Island, NY, circa 1949.
34. Yes, the funny place indeed.
35. “Oriental Hotel and boardwalk, Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, New York.” circa 1903.
36. “Johnstown Flood, Coney Island.” An attraction commemorating (and profiting from) the deadly Pennsylvania disaster of 1889. circa 1905.
