The Twisted Fate and Nostalgia of Coney Island

Danielle Yurkew
Jul 25, 2017 · 4 min read

While growing up on Long Island’s North Shore, Coney Island has always served as a mysterious, unknown land to me. My grandmother would tell me about ditching high school with my grandfather to spend the day eating Nathan’s hot dogs and playing on bumper cars. To me, Coney Island was almost imaginary- a fairytale theme park just an hour south of where I spent my entire childhood. The thought of sideshows, amusement park rides, a sprawling boardwalk and unique infrastructure seemed otherworldly when talking about a location in New York.

Luna Park, Coney Island in 1906. Courtesy of Times photo archive by Samuel H. Gottsho

This imagery is likely what Frederic Thomson sought to create while building Luna Park in 1903. According to Rem Koolhaas’ Coney Island: The Technology of the Fantastic, from Delirious New York, “Thompson has designed and built the appearance, the exterior, of a magic city.” He created the first “city of towers” to overstimulate the imagination.

And overstimulated my imagination remained until last week, when my New York University class took an academic approach to Coney Island. As my Q train arrived at Stillwell Avenue subway station, my premeditated images of Coney Island’s magic and wonder quickly dissipated. From the moment I stepped off the subway, I felt myself reaching far into the past to try to understand what visitors may have first encountered in the twentieth-century, but admittedly, this was difficult. I was looking at what felt like distant memories of ones before me, a town once illuminated in its prime was now a twisted tale of underlying stereotypes and deterioration in its present. I found it compelling nonetheless, and had to know more about what happened to this once upon a time dreamland.


“If you were to stroll down Luna Park back in the day, you’d likely come across glass incubators of tiny, premature babies. The man behind the operation was Dr. Martin Couney, who set up a small display, to which parents rushed their premature babies to help them survive. Though he didn’t charge for care, he did ask patrons to cough up a quarter to view. Sure, the voyeuristic aspect is absolutely strange, but of the 8,000 premature babies that were brought to Couney, approximately 6,500 survived.” [thrillist.com]

The roller coasters were still roaring when I took on the street. The sideshows were still selling tickets. Sun bathers trickled onto the beach to enjoy the hot summer day. Coney Island, without a doubt, was still in commission. It was not until I ventured deep into historical archives and spoke with art exhibitionists until I learned about elements of its turbulent past. Throughout the twentieth-century, Coney Island became subject to multiple fires that burned attractions. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck, putting businesses and rides underwater. But it was not just the structural elements that posed an issue, Coney Island had its fair share of racism, drug epidemics and a giant elephant hotel-turned-brothel.

Despite a rocky past, Coney Island clearly carried on a strong sense of community. Whether an artist, performer or community member, Coney Island prides itself in its quirks. The annual Mermaid Parade celebrates its nautical theme and honors the history. Performers unite and find unity and acceptance in their work. Artists find their niche and their murals and banners are admired by visitors. Coney Island takes creative minds and gives them an outlet for success.

It is difficult to describe exactly how Coney Island made me feel. Without experiencing the smells and sounds for yourself, it is hard to grasp the overall impression it leaves. Through Coney Island’s ups and downs, the strong history and current climate allows for an overwhelming sense of nostalgia.

    Danielle Yurkew

    Written by

    @ColumbiaJourn Class of '19. @CBSNews Broadcast Associate. Prev @guestofaguest Intern. Brunch aficionado. ENFP.