The Evolution of Coney Island: A Historic Summer Wonderland

A look at the rise, fall, and rebuilding of a summer wonderland.

There’s no place in New York City more synonymous with summer than Coney Island. The South Brooklyn neighborhood has long welcomed city dwellers to break away from the monotony of their work week to soak up the sun. As the warm weather kicks into high gear and New Yorkers start to venture off on day trips, we take a look at one of the city’s most historic enclaves and how it has evolved over the past few decades.

A Storied History

While the beachfront neighborhood boasts a storied history dating back to the early 1800s, it wasn’t until the 1960s and ’70s that Coney Island started to develop into the area we know today. Due in part to redevelopments and rezoning under Robert Moses, a public works official who transformed the New York City landscape during his time in office, the area was reimagined in an attempt to modernize; however, not all changes were considered successful. Under Moses’ leadership, much of New York City’s historic buildings and neighborhoods were leveled for new housing, highways, and public spaces, and Coney Island was no exception.

Decline and Resurgence

Thankfully, not all was lost during that time, but much has changed. Between 1880 and World War II, Coney Island was the largest amusement area in the country, attracting millions of visitors each year. Home to three competing amusement parks—Luna Park, Dreamland, and Steeplechase Park—along with a number of horse-racing tracks, the area was a favorite day trip for those looking to spend time on the beach with family and friends. But by the 1960s, each of the three amusement parks had permanently shuttered. Interest in Coney Island faded due to an increase in crime and the post-WWII automotive boom, which took would-be beach dwellers to farther-flung locales.

By that point, Moses was already planning to scrap what existed of Coney Island in favor of public housing and parking lots. Part of the land was rezoned as residential, leading to the demolition of significant attractions, including Luna Park. However, instead of wiping what we knew of Coney Island off the map, the area was reinvigorated with a slew of new attractions.

Modern Attractions

The most notable addition was the unveiling of the New York Aquarium in the late 1950s, having moved from lower Manhattan. Today, the aquarium holds five attractions: Conservation Hall; the Aquatheater; Sea Cliffs; Sharks, Rays & Turtles; and Ocean Wonders: Sharks.

Development continued at a steady pace. With middle-income housing springing up in place of single-family cottages, the population boomed and, consequently, new visitors flocked to the waterfront attractions.

The Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster constructed in the 1920s, was refurbished in 1975. In 1980, the 262-foot-tall Parachute Jump was added to the National Register of Historic Places after shutting down in the mid-1960s. While plans to refurbish and reopen the ride languished for years due to cost, it remained an icon of the boardwalk. Throughout the following decades, the landmark received upgrades, including new lighting and an updated pavilion at the base. The B&B Carousell, an early 20th-century carousel, was relocated to the plaza in 2013 after a full restoration. In 2014, the steel rollercoaster Thunderbolt was unveiled—a nod to the past, as the previous Thunderbolt, a wooden rollercoaster constructed in 1925, was demolished in 2000.

The Future of Coney Island

And the story continues to unfold, as the owners of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park—home to the famed 1920 Ferris wheel—plan to expand into a neglected area of the park, bringing new attractions, including a new rollercoaster called the Phoenix.

Therefore, while today Coney Island looks vastly different from its early 20th-century and mid-century iterations, revelers can still enjoy the sights and sounds of a fun day spent on the boardwalk. At night, the lights can be seen from miles away, and during warm summer days, the beach is packed with sunbathers. While many of the original rides, shops, and restaurants have been lost over time, the area still boasts a collection of storied favorites that make the South Brooklyn neighborhood one of the best places to be during a hot summer day in New York City.