| 1600s |
- The earliest people who lived their life in Coney Island was the Algonquain people who lived near Coney Island creek. They used the beaches at Coney Island as a summer camp. The Native Americans used this land to stay
- In 1609, the explorer Henry Hudson came across Coney Island in early September and the land was nothing more than sand dunes, and low trees. Coney Island was just an island. Henry Hudson wanted the island, so he tried to ask the Native Americans to own the Island. Native Americans did not want to give up the Island and soon it became a fight. Stories have been told that the Native Americans killed one of his helpers,or right hand man John Coleman.
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| 1800s |
- Years passed, and the Coney Island House opens, making the Coney Island’ a seaside resort. As the process was going, Samuel Colt erects a telegraph tower at Coney Island, in 1845. During this time John Wyckoff opened a hotel to rival the Coney Island House. Most of these hotels burned down during the time and did not make a big success.
Nearby Brooklyn, they were not too happy. They did not like the interruptions of vehicles going by all the time while people visited Coney Island.
- Washington Irving brought his niece to Coney Island on September 1, 1848. Soon many famous people across the country came to Coney Island. In 1846 two famous New Yorkers, Eddy and Hart built a tent near the beach. Since then, many people began to come to the beach making Coney Island more famous than it was.
- Andrew Culver completed the Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad that was unfinished years ago. Also, Andrew Culver erected the 300 foot Steel Tower. He did not only those, he also opened the famous “Manhattan Beach Hotel”. This hotel was settled near the beach. Many people went to this hotel during their vacations or want to visit once in a while because this hotel was near the beach. Manhattan Beach and the Oriental Hotel were the two luxourious hotels in Coney Isalnd during this time.Some of the people who attented these hotels were mostly upper class people.
“Elephant Hotel” opened at 1882. On the same day, George C. Tilyou opened the Surf Theater. This was the first theater Coney Island ever had! The theater was on an alley which was later named the Bowery. Many people began to come to the theater, but it did not have that many movies.
- Captain Paul Boyton decided to open the first amusement park in Coney Island. The year was 1895; “Sea Lion Park’s” grand opening and many people came to the first amusement park to enjoy the rides that were there. One of the famous activities that people would do during this time was beach bathing. This started when many people started to come to the beach but they never decided to go into the water. Of course they do not bath in the actual sea water.
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| 1900s |
- Later on after "Sea Lion Park" opened "Luna Park" was created. Luna Park was created in 1903 and made great success. Many people who visited Luna Park called this amusement park a wonderland. However, the fun in Luna Park died because Elmer Duny died in 1907, four years after Luna Park was created. When everyone found out about this devestating death, no one went to Luna Park anymore. They said that when he died all the creativity had gone. One year passed, and the park had to be domolished, because it remained closed until 1945.
- As Luna Park was domolished Steeplechase Park burned down in 1907, the same year Elmer Duny died. Before this time Dreamland opened by Senetor William Reynolds and a group of local speculators.
- After Steeplechase parked burned to the ground they immediately took the effort to rebulid it. Steeplechase Park was the most famous amusements parks at Coney Island.
- Dreamland did not last that long because in 1911. It burned down. The date was May 11 1911, just before the amusement park was going to open for the season. The fire was caused by a leak in Hellgate [boats that were drawn into a whirlpool in Dreamland].
- Many very important people died during the 1900's, for example Gearge C Tilyou died, and Fredric Thompson. However, joy cam upon Coney Island! Nathan Handwerker opens his first restruarant " Nathan's Hot Dogs" at Coney. The named changed after a couple of years, you may recognized the name " Nathans Famous".
- Later on, in 1920, the Wonder Wheel, the ferris wheel opened at Coney Island. The Wonder Wheel grew later on in the years. Many people came to this ride as many times as they can! This ride was a big hit! Until the Cyclone was built. The Cyclone ride was all over the news in 1927. The Cyclone is the oldest roller coaster in Coney Island. I went on the roller coaster myself, I loved it!
- Since the famous amusement parks closed, Astroland finally came to Coney Island. The amusement park is still in business today!
- In 1923, The Reigelmann Boardwalk is built!
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