Visit Coney Island in the Age of Coronavirus
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New Yorkers have been escaping to Coney Island since the early 1800’s…
In 2020, coronavirus has made that impossible for modern New Yorkers. While the beaches are open for now, Luna Park is closed until further notice. As is much of the area.
So, we’ve curated a way for you to get all those Coney Island feels with none of the risk of coronavirus. Virtually!
Choose from nine different blockbuster movies that will bring Coney Island to life for you, watch actual video footage covering more than 100 years of the various phases of Coney Island, and browse through a few collections of vintage photos. We’ve even got links to some history sites and documentaries if you want to learn a little more about the area.
In our version of Coney Island you’re not stuck to any particular decade and you can experience it from a variety of different perspectives. There’s no heat, no crowds, and no long subway ride to get there. Enjoy the ride!
Vintage Video Clips …
(Early 1900’s) A rollercoaster based off the design of a spinning top, Model-T Fords, and newsboy caps. (48 sec)
(1900’s) Choppy footage from the 1900’s that’s worth skipping through. Check out the attraction at 8 min - “Fire and Flames” and read a snippet about this dark attraction here. (19 min)
(Early 1900’s) Short footage of a mechanical horse ride at SteepleChase Park (1st theme park built in Coney Island) being ridden by women in full fancy dress. (33 sec)
(1932) Footage of what rides looked like in the 30’s. Clearly seatbelts and safety harnesses weren’t a thing and someone is literally shot out of a cannon at the end. (2 min)
(1940’s) Fun newsreel from 1940’s showing those infamous Coney Island mega-crowds. (9 min)
(1917, 1940, 1952) A mashup of vintage Coney Island sideshow footage. (8 min)
(1973) - A seven-minute film showing Coney Island circa the 1970’s. (7 min)
(2013) Experience the Cyclone through this HD POV.
(2018) The New York Daily News interviews performers at the “Coney Island Circus Sideshow”
Vintage Photo Collections….
Our favorite vintage photo collections of Coney Island:
Sous Les Etoiles Gallery is displaying Harvey Steins collection, “Coney Island, An Eternal Romance” online.
The Week magazine with some great photos showing Luna Park in the 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Buzzfeed News article showcasing epic vintage photos of 1930’s, 1940’s, and 1950’s Coney Island life.
Considerable with two pieces: 1) a series on Luna Park looking like Disney World and 2) a series of rare colorized photos from the 40’s and 50’s.
Monovisions has some unique shots from the 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Shorpy has some larger shots that can be zoomed in on beautifully and purchased if you fall in love.
Bklyner does a fun “Then & Now” series from a Brooklyn-based grandfather / granddaughter photographer duo.
Blockbuster Movies…
Coney Island History…
Defunctland (Youtube series that tells the history of “defunct rides, parks, and themed entertainment experiences”) does a 40 minute piece on Coney Island.
A fun Medium post about the various theme parks throughout Coney Island’s history.
Several articles based on how deep in history you want to go from Heart of Coney Island.
The Telegraph does a piece on how the Trump family ties into some of the set-backs of Coney Island.
Although tours are currently on hold until quarantine is over, check out the Coney Island History Project website for an archive of oral histories, podcast, and a collection of Coney Island videos.
A 58-min documentary film made about local Jimmy Prince who has been at the same butcher shop since 1947. A slow-moving but first-hand deep dive into the history of the area.
A Few Shots From the 1900’s…
