Coney Island

Coney Island, New York, home of the famous "Cyclone," was the first amusement park in the United States. Located in the southernmost part of Brooklyn, it was considered a cool spot to resort in 1860. In 1877, a group of hotels and bath houses came in, changing the atmosphere of the area. The many different classes of visitors and racial problems caused them to make changes. It was divided into four areas: Norton's Point, West Brighton Beach, Brighton Beach, and Manhattan Beach.

The first carousel was operated in 1876 and new parks were built in 1895. The parks included Sea Lion Park, Steeplechase, Luna, and Dreamland Parks with various rides and concessions. Different modes of transportation were added, with the subway bringing in 300,000 to 1,000,000 people by 1913. World War II and the Great Depression gave the Island the name of "Poor Man's Riviera" and many buildings and rides were torn down. The "Cyclone" was a very popular riding attraction included in Astroland, a space age theme park built in 1962.

The Keyspan Park opened in 2000, hosting the "Brooklyn Cyclones," a NY Mets Team. On April 5, 2009, Coney Island will reopen with the famous Cyclone and Wonder Wheel, among other attractions, for one more season before closing for a revamping. The mayor wants the city to purchase the 27 acre area to build a huge amusement park.