Luna Park, 1917. Courtesy New York Public Library, The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection
On the latest episode of The Gilded Gentleman, returning guest Esther Crain, author and creator of Ephemeral New York, joins Carl for a look at how New Yorkers stayed cool on summer days in the Gilded Age.
As New York continued its march up the island of Manhattan, there were few places where New Yorkers that couldn’t escape to Newport could find somewhere to relax, play, stroll, and find some shade.
The development of the Central Park provided some much-needed relief but it took some time for it to become a place that was accessible and viable for all of New York’s social classes.
Meanwhile, out on the far coast of Brooklyn, the resort of Coney Island developed rapidly and became a truly great escape with its famous amusement parks where one could find adventure and perhaps a bit of romance.
Esther takes us on a journey to visit these spots and spaces where Gilded Age New Yorkers could cool off, forget the realities of life for just a bit and have a really good time.
LISTEN HERE OR ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLAYER:
And in two weeks on The Gilded Gentleman Podcast: Prepare for a history of the French Riviera
PODCAST Coney Island is back! After being closed for 2020 due to the pandemic, the unusual attractions, the thrilling rides and stands selling beer and hot dog have finally reopened.
So we are releasing a very special version of our 2018 show called Landmarks of Coney Island — special, because this is an extended version of that show — an extended remix, if you will — featuring the tales of two more Coney Island landmarks which were left out of the original show.
And this episode is dedicated to the Wonder Wheel which was to celebrate its 100th year of operation last year. So go show them some love this year!
The Coney Island Boardwalk — officially the Riegelmann Boardwalk — became an official New York City scenic landmark in 2018, and to celebrate, the Bowery Boys are headed to Brooklyn’s amusement capital to toast its most famous and long-lasting icons.
Recorded live on location, this week’s show features the backstories of these Coney Island classics:
— The Wonder Wheel, the graceful, eccentric Ferris wheel preparing to celebrate for its 100th year of operation;
— The Spook-o-Rama, a dark ride full of old-school thrills;
— The Cyclone, perhaps America’s most famous roller-coaster with a history that harkens back to Coney Island’s wild coaster craze;
— Nathan’s Famous, the king of hot dogs which has fed millions from the same corner for over a century;
— Coney Island Terminal, a critical transportation hub that ushered in the amusement area’s famous nickname — the Nickel Empire
PLUS: An interview with Dick Zigun, the unofficial mayor of Coney Island and founder of Coney Island USA, who recounts the origin of the Mermaid Parade and the Sideshow by the Seashore
Listen Now: Landmarks of Coney Island (Extended Funhouse Mix)
Here are the seven official landmarks within the old Coney Island amusement area.
1) Coney Island Boardwalk
Museum of the City of New York
2) Wonder Wheel
1944, Museum of the City of New York
3) The Cyclone
1935, Courtesy Museum of the City of New York
4) Parachute Jump — pictured here at its original home at the 1939 New York World’s Fair at Flushing Meadows
Wurts Brothers, courtesy Museum of the City of New York
The Parachute Jump and the boardwalk on a windy summer’s day in 2017.
Greg Young
5) Childs Restaurant on the Boardwalk
Forgotten NY
A nice hazy day in 2017. The former Childs Restaurant can be seen in the distance. This image was taken from the Steeplechase Pier.
Greg Young
6) Childs Restaurant on Surf Avenue (now the home of the Coney Island Museum)
Courtesy Alex Rush
Inside the museum:
7) Shore Theatre on Surf Avenue
Brooklyn Public Library
And while Nathan’s Famous may not be a landmark, nobody can argue with the fact that its a genuine Coney Island classic.
1939, Andrew Herman Federal Art Project, Museum of the City of New YorkFrom our 2018 adventure through Coney Island
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