Coney Island—Past and Present
Professor Solomon begins by delving into the history of
Coney Island, the seaside resort that was once America’s
most celebrated amusement center.
Then he goes there—to see what remains of the place.
Wandering about, he looks for antiquities…talks with old
timers…explores the Boardwalk and surviving amusements.
Join the Professor in his excursion to this legendary funspot.
PROFESSOR SOLOMON (who describes him
self as an “amateur professor”) is the
author of How to Find Lost Objects, Japan
in a Nutshell, and How to Make the Most of
a Flying Saucer Experience. He resides in
Baltimore, and frequents the public library.
http://www.professorsolomon.com
TOP HAT PRESS
ISBN 0912509082
Professor Solomon CONEY ISLAND Top
Hat
Press
Copyright © 1999 by Top Hat Press
All rights reserved
Coney
Island
ISBN 0912509082
Photographs in Part III by the author
by Professor Solomon
Book design by Steve Solomon
printed in u.s.a.
Top Hat Press
Baltimore
http://www.professorsolomon.com
Top Hat Press
BALTIMORE
Contents
I. Personal Note
II. History
11
III. Excursion
85
1
I. Personal Note
http://www.professorsolomon.com
1
My first visit to Coney Island was a disappointment. For
we had arrived to find most of the rides, booths, and stands
closed.
I was thirteen at the time, and a tourist in New York City.
The trip was a bar mitzvah gift from my grandmother, who
was accompanying me (along with my brother, whom I had
managed to squeeze in on the gift). Before leaving home, I
had determined which sights I wanted to see; and heading
my list had been Times Square, the subway, and Coney
Island. Times Square I intended to film (at night, for the
neon signs) with a movie camera borrowed from my father.
The subway I wanted simply to ride. As for Coney Island,
was it not the most renowned of amusement parks? And
were not such parks the crowning achievement of Western
Civilization—the proper end of technological progress?
The place had to be checked out.
An o