I think 1952 was the first time I ever went to Coney Island, and I went back whenever I could for the next 10 years. Yep-- this is exactly what it looked like. Thanks for bringing back the great memories.
Oh, man. Amazingly cool, brilliantly edited - I didn't want it to end. I finally have some grasp of the Coney Island my parents went to regularly as kids.
Very fascinating but a bit long don't know how you were able to get past the 15 minute you tube limit . Some of those rides should be re introduced they were amazing
Come on Brooklyn! You say those days were awesome! Then stand up and bring it back!! CONEY ISLAND FOREVER! Those were the days, I'm 17 wish i was living in those days.
I must be reincarnated, cause I miss this magical era of Coney Island (the 40's and 50's) and I never have even been lucky enough to be there in this life. I want a Nathan's dog! Look at all the feeling of mystery and the tantalizing feeling of thrill!!! the visual excitement!!! Words can't explain the true feeling of a day at Coney! I miss it and I never even got to go!!! The theme parks of today and crappy stale condos, will never have that magical feeling! R.I.P. old Coney Island!
Man the Parachute Jump in action that was dangerous! People use to hit the ground so hard they actually fell out of their seats! No wonder it's closed!
@JCR101393 Look, I am 60 years old and from NYC born and raised. I loved Coney as a kid and I remember those days. Yes I have nice memories but there are good and bad; simple and hard times every generation. There is no escaping lifes tough battles. Just try to enjoy it as much as you can while you can.
Deliciously nostalgic! A little slice of time and place that will never be forgotten. What a great film. Thank you for posting this, I LOVE stuff like this! :)
The Citizens of Brooklyn should ban together to get Coney Island Back to its hey day! Bring Back the Gyro Globe, Parachute Jump, Hurricane and all the old rides! Resurrect, Nathans and the Bowery. Reclaim your Heritage Brooklyn!
Don't cave into the Greedy Developers.
It's a shame that the common folk allows
the powers that be to destroy the heritage that so rightfully belongs to the people!
Coney Island, Ebbits Field etc will live on in our hearts.
i miss Coney Island. I grew up w/my father taking me to Coney Island every other weekend or so. Beautiful memories far exceed the hardships that tried to take over the rest of life's strife. Nathan's used to have french fries in a green & white cone shaped container, hot dogs, corn-on-the cob...YUM!
On the way home we used to cross the little bridge where there was a watermelon stand which sold one 2" thick slice of ice cold watermelon for $1.00 which Dad bought us. The beach was pretty and walking the boardwalk was astounding
. Tilt-A-Whirl, the brass ring on their big carousel...You're right. The world needs more Coney Island and less mega stores and malls. The clown face at the Steeplechase at the end of the boardwalk was disturbing but all in all I wouldn't trade it and I am proud and feel privileged to have been brought up w/Coney Island in my life. Thanks Dad. Love you.
Love this. I was a kid growing up in El Paso, TX in the 50s, and always dreamed of going to Coney Island. Finally did last year as an old man (all by myself) and I still had fun just re-living the history and eating at Nathan's.
W0W! Thank you for allowing me to see Coney Island the way I remember it! I was 4 years old in 1952 and lived in CI..Seeing my favorites,the Bobled,the Wax Museum, the rides at Steeplchase was almost overwhelming.
Love this vid. Now, this is Coney Island. Not what the current Astroland is (except for Wonder Wheel and Cyclone). Coney definitely looked much better back then.
Coney Island died the day they tore down Steeplechase Park and the Bowery with it's side shows. I have special memories of those places. This clip also shows some of the weirder old rides like the Virginia Reel, the Bobsled and the Giant Gyroscope ( which was a real puker ) it spun you around every which way, including upside down.
To my understanding, Steeplechase Park closed at the end of September of 1964. Vicious Robert Moses (NYC Parks/Planning) managed to have the building demolished sometime in 1966 before any legislation could be passed to make it a historic landmark. Sadly, today nothing remains of it except a vacant lot, dated, 1960's concrete pavilion, and the Parachute Jump tower on the boardwalk.
Thanks for posting this. I have great memories of going to Steeplechase Park, all the old fashioned rides. Theres nothing like that anymore. This includes some clips of the older more weird rides. Like the Virginia Reel, the Bobsled and the Giant Gyroscope ( a real puker ). I miss it all.
This is the stuff that makes YouTube shine. How great it is to see this classic footage! I was thrilled to finally ride the Wonder Wheel in 2003, and of course Cyclone lived up to the hype. But the parachute tower might have been my favorite structure there. It would be a great thing to restore.
I wish I could have been old enough to experience riverview park in chicago, palisades park in New Jersey, and Coney Island before it was mostly knocked down
great video,, but some of those clowns are creepy.. im so glad coney isnland is set to open again. it looks like an amazing place and it would be sad to see it tour down. amazing video!
Fantastic that this is film is out in the world. No idea where you found it but so glad you did. An extraordinary place reflecting an extraordinary time. Thank you.
Memories. I remember the SteepleChase a few months before they tore it down. I understand that they recently tore down part of Coney Island to rebuild it. The City of New York has some kind of renewal of Amusement park going on.
Wow, what an absolutely AMAZING clip! Coney Island looked like it was much more fun back in those days than it did in the 1980's, when it was a violent war-zone.
Wonderful footage of Coney Island back then. For those days there was an incredibly large variety of rides. I am old enough to remember the last two years that Steeplechase Park was around, and what a grand place it was!
Incredible video captures a unique time and place. Earlier shots of this video reveal a futuristic gleidoscope of Coney Island with so many large, unique and very ornate rides packed so closely together.
a lot of things meant for children back then looked vulgar and yes, sometimes evil. i often wonder if anyone thought so back then or if it was just modern for that time.
There was a wonderful children amusment section up then. I think it is still there on the Boardwalk section of Astroland. I lived in CI as a child and I was never frightened only facinated!
And that was part of the show. Steeplechase after you got off the ride. The clowns gave you electric shocks and hit you with paddles. All while you were walking across a stage with bouncing stairways, spinning disks on the floor. People today would be suing the hell out of them.
You forgot the 'air jet' that went off on any woman with a skirt, their dress flew up. There were rows of seats where dirty old men would wait to see the women. The clown almost broke my arm, he shocked us, and one of my friends cursed him out, he hit on the elbow with a stick. The management inteceded, they question our party and were about to fire the clown, my mother begged the manager to give him another chance. This was back in '58! But, the park was fun for kids!
wow..... i think those rides use to be soo cool then now...
ecuadoriankid10 5 months ago
Just Fab!
DD The Creepy Clown
DustyDingies 7 months ago
I think 1952 was the first time I ever went to Coney Island, and I went back whenever I could for the next 10 years. Yep-- this is exactly what it looked like. Thanks for bringing back the great memories.
Rivieratime 8 months ago
Oh, man. Amazingly cool, brilliantly edited - I didn't want it to end. I finally have some grasp of the Coney Island my parents went to regularly as kids.
Thanks so much for posting it!
liberal2nSF 9 months ago
Very fascinating but a bit long don't know how you were able to get past the 15 minute you tube limit . Some of those rides should be re introduced they were amazing
latefor 11 months ago
They don't sleep anymore on the beach
c11bmx 1 year ago
I wonder if Coney Island was a kind of "social capital" that has been disappearing in the US, as suggested by Robert Putnam, a sociologist.
mysweet2home 1 year ago
Fantastic... I remember the beach being deserted.. like that... I used to "Comb" the beach for change and Jewelery ... those were the days....
MrWizard36 1 year ago
Come on Brooklyn! You say those days were awesome! Then stand up and bring it back!! CONEY ISLAND FOREVER! Those were the days, I'm 17 wish i was living in those days.
imundiath 2 years ago
that ride at 7:10 wasnt in coney island when i went
MrDorkyPants 2 years ago
I must be reincarnated, cause I miss this magical era of Coney Island (the 40's and 50's) and I never have even been lucky enough to be there in this life. I want a Nathan's dog! Look at all the feeling of mystery and the tantalizing feeling of thrill!!! the visual excitement!!! Words can't explain the true feeling of a day at Coney! I miss it and I never even got to go!!! The theme parks of today and crappy stale condos, will never have that magical feeling! R.I.P. old Coney Island!
LewKaplanski 2 years ago 2
amazing film. Thanks for uploading!
parisbluerose 2 years ago
Man the Parachute Jump in action that was dangerous! People use to hit the ground so hard they actually fell out of their seats! No wonder it's closed!
doobyboy21 2 years ago
That bobsled ride at 7:10 is being recreated at Knoebels Park in Pa. It will be called Flying Turns
fiddlerpin 2 years ago
back when times were simple... my grandpa tells me about life back then, it seems so awesome. fuck my generation, i wish i had a time machine...
JCR101393 2 years ago 16
@JCR101393 Look, I am 60 years old and from NYC born and raised. I loved Coney as a kid and I remember those days. Yes I have nice memories but there are good and bad; simple and hard times every generation. There is no escaping lifes tough battles. Just try to enjoy it as much as you can while you can.
MrB17FlyingFortress 1 year ago
What an outstanding short film, and some pretty intense camera effects for the period, as well. I will be buying this one.
chimayai 2 years ago 2
Deliciously nostalgic! A little slice of time and place that will never be forgotten. What a great film. Thank you for posting this, I LOVE stuff like this! :)
Saywardstudio 2 years ago 3
they dont sleep anymore on the beach
dp85 2 years ago
The Citizens of Brooklyn should ban together to get Coney Island Back to its hey day! Bring Back the Gyro Globe, Parachute Jump, Hurricane and all the old rides! Resurrect, Nathans and the Bowery. Reclaim your Heritage Brooklyn!
Don't cave into the Greedy Developers.
It's a shame that the common folk allows
the powers that be to destroy the heritage that so rightfully belongs to the people!
Coney Island, Ebbits Field etc will live on in our hearts.
hustledancer1 3 years ago 4
he is giving him a tatoo and he is wearing no gloves
cold732 3 years ago
Haven't set foot on a roller coaster since 1951. Thanks Cyclone!!!
cejwin 3 years ago
im so pissed they got rid of astroland...its like a historic landmark and my childhood!!!
luxzig 3 years ago
What a work of A-R-T!!!
nickybadboy50 3 years ago 5
i miss Coney Island. I grew up w/my father taking me to Coney Island every other weekend or so. Beautiful memories far exceed the hardships that tried to take over the rest of life's strife. Nathan's used to have french fries in a green & white cone shaped container, hot dogs, corn-on-the cob...YUM!
dancersok 3 years ago
On the way home we used to cross the little bridge where there was a watermelon stand which sold one 2" thick slice of ice cold watermelon for $1.00 which Dad bought us. The beach was pretty and walking the boardwalk was astounding
dancersok 3 years ago
. Tilt-A-Whirl, the brass ring on their big carousel...You're right. The world needs more Coney Island and less mega stores and malls. The clown face at the Steeplechase at the end of the boardwalk was disturbing but all in all I wouldn't trade it and I am proud and feel privileged to have been brought up w/Coney Island in my life. Thanks Dad. Love you.
dancersok 3 years ago 4
Love this. I was a kid growing up in El Paso, TX in the 50s, and always dreamed of going to Coney Island. Finally did last year as an old man (all by myself) and I still had fun just re-living the history and eating at Nathan's.
tuutuutango 3 years ago 5
W0W! Thank you for allowing me to see Coney Island the way I remember it! I was 4 years old in 1952 and lived in CI..Seeing my favorites,the Bobled,the Wax Museum, the rides at Steeplchase was almost overwhelming.
I will always be a Coney Island Baby!
cibaby59 3 years ago 4
Love this vid. Now, this is Coney Island. Not what the current Astroland is (except for Wonder Wheel and Cyclone). Coney definitely looked much better back then.
tomokh 3 years ago 5
Bay sixteen????
1938shelly 3 years ago
Coney Island died the day they tore down Steeplechase Park and the Bowery with it's side shows. I have special memories of those places. This clip also shows some of the weirder old rides like the Virginia Reel, the Bobsled and the Giant Gyroscope ( which was a real puker ) it spun you around every which way, including upside down.
bunkster2000 3 years ago
When did they tear down Steeplechase Park ?
csillag4 3 years ago
To my understanding, Steeplechase Park closed at the end of September of 1964. Vicious Robert Moses (NYC Parks/Planning) managed to have the building demolished sometime in 1966 before any legislation could be passed to make it a historic landmark. Sadly, today nothing remains of it except a vacant lot, dated, 1960's concrete pavilion, and the Parachute Jump tower on the boardwalk.
Kenn1965 3 years ago
Keyspan baseball stadium (Keyspan Park) for Brooklyn Cyclone baseball team is on the site of the old Steeplechase Park now.
parisbluerose 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this. I have great memories of going to Steeplechase Park, all the old fashioned rides. Theres nothing like that anymore. This includes some clips of the older more weird rides. Like the Virginia Reel, the Bobsled and the Giant Gyroscope ( a real puker ). I miss it all.
bunkster2000 3 years ago
thanks for posting this. between watching brooklyn dodger stuff and coney island stuff, I'm becoming fascinated with brooklyn
kes1963 3 years ago
Spooky.....clowns.
This video gave me the jibblees!
snogmyarse2890 3 years ago
what happened to the old rides? why did they get rid of them?
Amaranth 3 years ago
This is the stuff that makes YouTube shine. How great it is to see this classic footage! I was thrilled to finally ride the Wonder Wheel in 2003, and of course Cyclone lived up to the hype. But the parachute tower might have been my favorite structure there. It would be a great thing to restore.
tk0173 3 years ago 3
Great Job
The World Needs Coney Island not more Condo's Save the Cyclone Save Nathans Remember the Thunderbolt.
NODISCOonkrth 3 years ago 4
my dad rode the Cyclone he said, "It went way at the top and then drop down"!
jack2breeze 3 years ago
I wish I could have been old enough to experience riverview park in chicago, palisades park in New Jersey, and Coney Island before it was mostly knocked down
kes1963 3 years ago
GreAt Vide0, w0w the 0Ld Dayz Seem s0 MuCh BeTTeR Then n0w, i mean some of the 0Ld RiDez Seem wAy Better and Funner.
Kudoz for Putting That Vid 0n youtube.
MADX27 3 years ago 2
gr8 vid!! what real fun is about!
lufc77 3 years ago
great video,, but some of those clowns are creepy.. im so glad coney isnland is set to open again. it looks like an amazing place and it would be sad to see it tour down. amazing video!
benodge08 3 years ago
Great movie! Coney will always be a special place, I hope they don't overdevelop it, those were amazing times.
jerryneyk 3 years ago 2
Fantastic that this is film is out in the world. No idea where you found it but so glad you did. An extraordinary place reflecting an extraordinary time. Thank you.
reitrouc 3 years ago 2
thank you for puting this fab filn on youtube JP
johnrussellpatrick 4 years ago
instead of building a condominium they need to bring back steeple chase park
javy125 4 years ago 2
Memories. I remember the SteepleChase a few months before they tore it down. I understand that they recently tore down part of Coney Island to rebuild it. The City of New York has some kind of renewal of Amusement park going on.
hossteacher 4 years ago
look at 7.07
xBanyaMasterx 4 years ago
bizzar! enjoyed this much!
dtrubnikov 4 years ago
best dreamland ever, no reality will ever be as much as this was ---especially to the common man
TopDiamondDog 4 years ago
Thank you for posting this - that was great! I'm 29 and saw Coney Island through a different generation
netvana 4 years ago
coney island is my home, my heart, my womb, my bar, my therapist's couch, my safe haven from the cold world.
steampunk18 4 years ago
THATS MY PLACE #1
hesterjumper 4 years ago
Wow, what an absolutely AMAZING clip! Coney Island looked like it was much more fun back in those days than it did in the 1980's, when it was a violent war-zone.
Ban all developers from Brooklyn!
RicanOneLove 4 years ago
The end of an era for Coney Island.:( It is now a fading memory.
HomeoftheGoodGuys 4 years ago 4
Thank you for some great memories !!
TorontoChaser 4 years ago 4
i hate clowns but i love coney 1 day i will go (The Warriors)
020fox 4 years ago 2
Is The Coney Island Museum and
Sideshow still there?
Or has it been closed and torn down?
143AC 4 years ago 5
Yes it's still there and will be for many years to come.
cifilmman 4 years ago
The Museum is closed/the new developers just recently acquired the vacant building.
RicanOneLove 4 years ago
Not true our organization Coney Island USA bought the building. The building has never been vacant.
cifilmman 3 years ago
@143AC I was just there last week it's going strong...
fredgorey 7 months ago
Truely great. Wish I could have gone there when it was like that. Sad the colour has faded in the film so much but thanks for putting it up.
PrinceAndrew100 4 years ago 2
scarey!!!!!!!!!!
MrMeaty727 4 years ago
Amazing video, sure brought back the memories of being a kid again.
BankOutlaw 4 years ago
Wonderful footage of Coney Island back then. For those days there was an incredibly large variety of rides. I am old enough to remember the last two years that Steeplechase Park was around, and what a grand place it was!
musikview 4 years ago
it looks so wierd then it looks now
iluvanessa 5 years ago
Incredible video captures a unique time and place. Earlier shots of this video reveal a futuristic gleidoscope of Coney Island with so many large, unique and very ornate rides packed so closely together.
TylerSanDiego 5 years ago 2
In 1952 I was 4 years old and my dad took me to Coney Island almost every weekend in the summer. This is magical!
DBS1948 5 years ago
that is awesome! wish i could have been a teen when it was all nice. still love it!
Amaranth 4 years ago 3
a lot of things meant for children back then looked vulgar and yes, sometimes evil. i often wonder if anyone thought so back then or if it was just modern for that time.
rainydaywoman43 5 years ago
I never saw it that way. Something were scary but magical was the general feeling.
1967007 4 years ago
There was a wonderful children amusment section up then. I think it is still there on the Boardwalk section of Astroland. I lived in CI as a child and I was never frightened only facinated!
cibaby59 3 years ago 3
Great video!
Some of those clown figures look evil! <:0
thisisajokeright 5 years ago
And that was part of the show. Steeplechase after you got off the ride. The clowns gave you electric shocks and hit you with paddles. All while you were walking across a stage with bouncing stairways, spinning disks on the floor. People today would be suing the hell out of them.
bunkster2000 3 years ago
fntime 3 years ago
Thanks for sharing!
ultradio 5 years ago
I work 2 blocks from the amusement area, too bad it's not still like this video
jgmusic526 5 years ago 3
Awesome! Thank you so much for this video!
LeaptheDips 5 years ago 2