Coney Island, probably one of the most notable neighborhoods in New York City, is located on the southwestern part of Brooklyn. Originally an island, it became partially connected to the main land through land fill. The well know site of amusement parks and seaside resort, the neighborhood came to great popularity during the first half of the 20th century. It saw a decline after World War II and suffered years of neglect, but has seen a resurgence of popularity in recent years with the reopening of Luna Park and the Stadium that now houses the Brooklyn Cyclones.
Starting out as a natural park, the history of Coney Island is controversial. Development started around the 1840s with massive outcries in an attempt to prevent development and keep the park in it’s natural state. It became a resort as early as 1829 with the construction of the Coney Island Hotel, and its proximity to Manhattan gave residents the allure of getting away for a vacation. The largest amusement area in the USA between 1880 and World War II, Coney Island was originally a playground for the wealthy, but quickly catered to both high and middle class society with the advent of easy public transportation to it. During it’s prime, Coney Island had the three competing amusement parks of Luna Park, Dreamland, and Steeplechase Park. At the beginning of the 20th century, Coney Island became a place for tenement worker day trippers with the completion of the electrified steam railroad. After World War II and a fire that ravaged Luna Park, part of the amusement park became apartments. This along with the invention of air condition and gang violence marked the decline of the Coney Island Golden Era.
