Coney Island Research Paper

Coney Island developed overtime became not only a place for excitement, but an escape from the busy work life and problems that many lower class Americans and immigrants faced. West Brighton was the center of Coney Island in the 1870’s and was connected to New York City by Prospect Park and Coney Island Railroad that brought people to large hotels, restaurants, ballrooms and games that could withhold over 50,000 people on a good day in Coney Island (33). Statues and architecture at Coney Island that were used from previously built parks were symbolic of the growth of America. Tilyou, Thompson, Dundy and William Reynolds were the four leading men who created the most eye catching amusement parks Coney Island had ever seen. These men built their

empire on creating a place where people could come together for, “sensory appeal and emotional release” that attracted large crowds from all economic backgrounds to come together as one (36).
Coney Island drew in people from all social classes, especially immigrants who wanted to be exposed to American culture that was now focused on social equality.

Kasson explains that people came for the, “joy of mixing with the crowds on the public street and catching the live sense of humanity and of good humor that is everywhere” (39). Coney Island was a place for people to interact on an intimate level, love and sexuality was explored, the people reverted to childish ways and the vibrant image was one that stayed with people forever (45). Photographs and postcards captured the excitement to show people outside these enclosed doors about the fantasy world they had entered by coming to Coney Island. Pictures such as the five women bent over on the beach is a perfect depiction of the sexuality, fashion and cultural changes that happened among the beaches and walls of Coney Island. Coney Island was a festival at all times. Once a visitor entered the gates, it took people to a whole new world, away from the problems of society and work. As Kasson explains, “Coney Island appeared to be a new kind of cultural institution that people would call again and again, a ‘carnival’” (49 & 50). To take a deeper look into the impact Coney Island had on society, Kasson focused on three crucial amusement parks: Steeplechase, Luna Park and

Dreamland.
Coney Island was a unique place because the architecture, lights, images, rides, and shows made visitors feel as if they were in a fantasy world. The naked statue “Creation” at Dreamland was symbolic of females and sexuality, which was historically significant to the empowering role females started to receive as they spent their time at amusement parks. These three amusement parks main goal was to excite and draw people in to the happiest days of their lives where they could regress back to their childhood days (50). Kasson explains in this book that each ride at each different amusement park was symbolic of the cultural and economic changes occurring in America among this new mass culture (50-70).