Saturday, December 27, 2008

Visiting Coney Island, Pt. 1

Brooklyn's Coney Island is an amusement park (one of the nation's first) that reached its peak in the early 20th century. Though located on the Atlantic Ocean, it declined in popularity after World War II and endured years of neglect (I prefer to call this “beautiful blight”) though fun seekers still visit year round.  Like so much of New York, Coney is currently under threat, with many rides, architectural gems and memories slated to fall to developer's greed and a general lack of imagination among the populace (who needs "amusement" when you've got iPods and videogames?).  Luckily, landmark status protects several rides.  A walk through Coney on a Saturday afternoon is a study in Russian accents;  immigrant-filled Brighton Beach is right down Stillwell Avenue.  

Serious Thrills...
How "Swee" it is! The Cyclone rollercoaster, completely constructed of wood. 
1940's hotel rooms anyone?
The famous, spooky parachute jump surrounded by fog.   

20 comments:

Cyd said...

The spooky tower looks like a sea creature. Nice shots and important commentary re. conservation of this historic place.

Virginia said...

KM, Wow what a treasure you are my friend. You are capturing memories we should not forget. THis is an outstanding post. Bravo! I have never seen any of these but your images brought tears to my eyes. The last one is a classic. Beautiful.
V

Wayne said...

When V. is right, she is right. She never reads these comments so I'm fairly confident she won't be lording it over me.

I wanted to visit Coney Island when I was in NYC in September, it's been an ambition for a long time. But it seemed a long way away by subway and I didn't make it. This tour is the next best thing.

I like them all but the last one is really something, so bleak and forlorn looking. Way to go KM.

-K- said...

That parachute tower is a classic.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

What a pity it would be to loose old landmarks like this. Thank goodness some of them are protected.

Virginia said...

WHEN I'm right???? I'm ALWAYS right , Wayne. Surely you've learned that little detail by now. I think we do agree on KM's photos however.

Kitty said...

I have mixed feelings about Coney Island. In general I like it, find it an interesting place to walk around, etc., but would never want to live anywhere nearby!

The whole history is quite cool, I have to say.

Ming the Merciless said...

Love the colors in the parachute jump photo. It has an eerie feel.

I wonder if anyone ever died from jumping off of that thing.

gogouci said...

Very nice portrayal of one of the nation's famed landmarks.

CoyoteFe said...

Argh! You are SUCH a task master! All these places that were never on my 'must see' list. Now I must. How will I ever get through?

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, couldn't hear you. I'm in Faber's, fascinating.

Dave said...

Its sad when traditions die. - Dave

Anonymous said...

Great shot of the parachute jump. I wonder how many old movies it has appeared in.

Lynette said...

Gosh, you'd think folks in the city that thinks, no that's not right, the city that knows it's the most important in the world would have more sense than to allow the death of its icons. That's sickening! Stupid greed. But before I go, I have to say that I really like all of the photos. Thanks for posting them.

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CaT said...

wow... i was recently in NY and we didnt manage to get to coney island, as wayne said, a little far (especially if you have only 2 days), but now i regret..
it looks so sad and beautiful at the same time..

just found your blog and i really like it. your photographing what i always just pass by, while thinking.. ah, here i def should take a picture of, but usually i dont... :)

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