The story of Coney Island begins in the 1830s, when hotels were set up as beachside resorts for the rich. When railroads were built in the 1870s the middle classes began flocking here as well, and it soon became the most popular resort on the East Coast. The first roller coaster was built in 1884, and full–fledged amusement parks developed by the turn of the century—Dreamland (at West 5th Street), Steeplechase Park (at West 17th Street), and the huge, fantastical Luna Park (at West 10th Street). Subways were built out to Coney Island in 1920, and during the peak years of the 20s there were more than one million people on the beach each day during the summer.

But the crowds decreased during the Depression, and never recovered in the 40s and 50s. Instead of taking the subway to Coney Island, families took their new automobiles to the newer beaches on Long Island, leaving the amusement parks deserted. Dreamland burned down in 1911 and was never rebuilt. Luna Park was mostly destroyed by fire in 1944. Steeplechase Park, the only amusement park remaining, was finally closed in 1964. A new park, Astroland, opened in 1962, although it never matched the splendor of the old parks.

A few rides are still left, like the Cyclone roller coaster (originally built in 1927 by Vernan Keenan and Harry Baker, now on the National Register of Historic Places). The original, well–loved Nathan’s Hot Dog stand also remains, and one surviving “freak show” still draws weekend crowds, offering a glimpse of the Coney Island of yore.