Brooklyn’s Amusement Parks.

Brooklyn’s amusement parks have a long and fascinating history that goes back over a century. People from all over have flocked to the “Playground of the World” for thrills, spills, and chills. From the invention of the first roller coaster, to Steeplechase and Luna Park, Coney Island reigns.

Brooklyn’s amusement parks industry goes back to the 1800s.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Brooklyn was a hub of activity and entertainment. Before regal, castle-like resorts were built in Coney Island, it was a sparsely populated island. Railroads changed all of this however. Before railroads only the elite of NYC could afford the expensive, time-consuming trip to the pristine Atlantic coast.

Brooklyn’s railroads and resort industry grew in tandem. Resorts like the Brighton Beach Hotel or the Sea Beach Palace Hotel sponsored their very own steam engine lines in an effort to attract more customers. Railroads were a game-changer and opened up Brooklyn’s South Shore to the people.

The steam engine literally changed the way people perceive the world and think. The steel rails drove right into our imaginations and out roared the world’s first roller coaster called the Switchback Railway in Coney Island. It was simple by our standards, but revolutionary for its time. It used gravity and allowed people to move faster than they ever had before. From this point the rides of Brooklyn’s amusement parks would grow taller and ever more complex.

Steeplechase was Brooklyn’s first amusement park.

Opened in 1897, Steeplechase was the first official Brooklyn amusement park and immediately drew thrill-seekers It was renowned for its rides and novel attractions. A Steeplechase is a type of horse race, so its signature attraction naturally was the Steeplechase roller coaster.

The Steeplechase ride consisted of wooden horses on a single metal track. Each horse would accommodate two riders and there were six tracks in total. The track took riders on a chase through a series of inclines and hills. As the horse “ran” its course, the riders would race other horses as they grabbed metal rings to the side of the track. The times were different and there were no safety harnesses, so you had to hold on tight.

Despite its popularity, Steeplechase Park eventually closed in 1964 after years of declining attendance.

Luna Park

Luna Park opened in 1903 to rival Steeplechase. It was known for its many thrilling roller coasters, including the Tornado, the Tickler, and the Cyclone, which is still operating today. One of its most renowned rides was “Trip to the Moon”, which simulated a journey to the moon using special effects.

Despite its massive popularity, Luna Park closed in 1944 due to declining attendance. It was revived in 2010 however with new, state-of-the-art rides and attractions.

Dreamland

Dreamland opened in 1904, the park was known for its innovative, elaborate attractions and movie-set like villages. Unfortunately, the park suffered a catastrophic fire in 1911, which destroyed much of the property. Despite efforts to rebuild, Dreamland was never fully restored and eventually closed in 1915.

The old giants towering over Brooklyn’s amusement parks.

Steeplechase was also home to the 262-foot Parachute Jump. Originally it was featured at the 1939 World’s Fair in Flushing, Queens. It was transported to Steeplechase and reassembled. There were 12 drop points where cables connected from the top to the base. A seat attached to a parachute was pulled to the top and then released to gently drop riders down. Its last ride was in September of 1964. It’s only a tower now, but it is a soaring testament to Coney’s illustrious past.

Along with the Parachute Jump is the Wonder Wheel. It’s an eccentric ferris wheel that was made for Steeplechase and was the first of its kind. What makes it unique is the cars toward the edge are stationary. The cars closer to the center however shift on rails as the ride moves, offering a thrilling take on the standard ferris wheel. It’s still in operation and is located inside of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.

The innovative rides of Brooklyn’s amusement parks.

Coney Island in the early 20th Century was unlike anything that had existed before or since. Giant, newfangled contraptions twirled and whirled as unfastened riders were tossed about. These rides wouldn’t be possible today with modern safety regulations. For example, One of Steeplechase’s rides featured a floor of rapidly spinning, wooden disks. People would sprawl their bodies onto them and be whipped around.

Another ride can only be compared to modern day bumper cars, but it had a twist: the floor moved instead of the cars. Riders sat in free-roaming cars that were moved by the undulating track underneath. Many times cars would get stuck, and riders would get out and free the cars themselves.

Many who attended these parks affectionately reported finding bruises by the end of the day. It was considered a badge of honor. The rides were dangerous, but they were novel and unlike anything that had ever existed before. How could you not go for a ride?

Astroland took on a sci-fi theme.

Astroland was a more recent Coney Island incarnation. Opened in 1962, it became a beloved destination for Brooklynite’s and ride enthusiasts. It was home to several iconic rides, including the Diving Bells, the Astro Tower, and the Astroland Skyride.

The diving bells featured actual submarines that held up to twenty passengers. They descended into a tank where whales and fish could be viewed through portholes. Astro Tower offered panoramic views of the city while the skyride featured spacey bubble cars that transported riders from Surf Avenue to Riegelmann boardwalk .

Astroland closed in 2008. You can still see the Astroland rocket inside of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. It was revived as Luna Park and features iconic motifs from the original parks, such as the original Luna Park entrance and the Steeplechase Face man.

What led to the decline of the old Brooklyn amusement parks?

Fires were a plague to Brooklyn’s earliest amusement parks. They regularly tore through them because most of the structures were made of wood. This is why Dreamland was short-lived. Fires largely contributed to the decline of the original Luna Park as well.

The next leading problem was money. The maintenance that some rides required made them financially unfeasible. Another factor was some rides were too slow and couldn’t accommodate enough riders at a time to make a profit, or the rides weren’t attracting enough riders.

Another problem was time. As novel as . Additionally, amusement parks now had fierce competition from televisions and air conditioning. The financial boon that Coney Island initially saw from masses of eager riders had dwindled down considerably.

The historical and cultural impact of Brooklyn’s amusement parks.

Brooklyn’s amusement parks have played a significant role in shaping the entertainment industry and creating lasting memories for generations of visitors. Whether the thrilling memories of Steeplechase, Luna Park, Dreamland, or Astroland, or the modern thrills of the Luna Park revival, they’ve all been a vital part of Brooklyn’s history.

The mystique of Coney Island is truly unique. Despite its up and downs it continues to draw visitors from around the world. Coney Island has changed wildly, from empty farmland, to the earliest Brooklyn amusement parks, Astroland, and the restored Luna Park. The image of Coney Island has changed drastically for the last 100 years, but it holds the same meaning to Brooklynites. It’s a land of lost dreams, yet teeming with possibilities.

So much to see and do in Coney Island!

The excitement and nostalgia of Brooklyn’s amusement parks can still be experienced with the Cyclone, Luna Park, or Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. Coney Island has so many more entertainment options as well: the New York Aquarium, the Brooklyn Cyclones, and the Coney Island Amphitheater make a day at Coney Island complete. The area’s also undergone a major revitalization recently and has a restaurant that will cater to any taste bud. Visit Coney Island today.

I, and the team at Brooklynites, thank you for reading. Click back soon. <3

Visit Brooklyn’s oldest bars:

https://brooklynites.nyc/brooklyns-oldest-bars/

Read about the Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest:

https://brooklynites.nyc/a-coney-island-4th-of-july/

Read more about Coney Island’s Amusement Industry:

Steeplechase Park Highlights – Parachute Jump : NYC Parks (nycgovparks.org)

The first roller coaster:

https://www.wrhs.org/blog/opening-day-first-roller-coaster-in-the-usa-june-16-1840/

The Astroland Skyride:

https://www.coneyislandhistory.org/ask-mr-coney/astroland-skyride

the Wonder Wheel:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Wheel