Gone but not forgotten, Astroland was one of the iconic businesses (and theme parks) on Coney's boardwalk. With only a few of its historic structures remaining, Coney Island hangs in the balance. Most likely Thor Equities gutting will continue as the nation's first adventure park (1876) is rebuilt to resemble Anywhere USA, with no respect to its heritage as the location of the first Harpo Marx performance, Nathan's Hot Dogs, weird Vaudeville stage shows and much American history.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Coney Island's Astroland
Gone but not forgotten, Astroland was one of the iconic businesses (and theme parks) on Coney's boardwalk. With only a few of its historic structures remaining, Coney Island hangs in the balance. Most likely Thor Equities gutting will continue as the nation's first adventure park (1876) is rebuilt to resemble Anywhere USA, with no respect to its heritage as the location of the first Harpo Marx performance, Nathan's Hot Dogs, weird Vaudeville stage shows and much American history.
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12 comments:
Thanks for the lovely photo and the link. I miss the Rocket, which although it was "saved," is in long term storage. In photos of the lunch stand, now called Paul's daughter, the rooftop always looks empty to me.
I'm enchanted.
Wonderful photo.
Sad in a funny sort of way.
So interesting to see the change in America.
The rain provides the perfect atmospheric conditions for the shot and depressing tale.
Those were the days of creative and artful advertising; using props. We don't see that much anymore.
I agree with Rob, this was so clever, so darkly romantic in its way.
I've never been to Coney Island, but from the iconic images it looks like the perfect place for wonderful photo ops (despite the shutting down)
Ciao
hey mac,
with you on the sentiment.
next its gonna be the People
that will be gutted.
on the bright side though,
as the People get priced out farther
and farther away . . .
the day will come when,
the City, having lost its soul
(AND the Coney Island Soul Dancers)
will be THE Perfect Theme Park:
safe, sensible and sterile.
yowza! are we havin' fun yet?
==========
anyhoo,
as always, enjoyed the visit,
keep'em coming. :-)
..
.ero
.
I really love the angle here!
It's so sad to see these old places go. Change isn't good when we lose our identity because of it.
Ah, yes...all in the name of "progress"...
No one gives a fig about the lost heritage until its all gone. I am in the UK. and its the same here. Don
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