I didn’t make it to Astroland to say goodbye.
My relationship with Coney Island dates back to the womb. My parents took me there as a child and their parents took them. I’m old enough to remember the laughing lady in The Fun House, The Bob Sled, Jumbo Jet, Tornado and Thunderbolt before they shut down. My favorite ride was the Water Flume though. Not too scary.
My family moved to Brightwater Towers on Surf Avenue during my senior year in high school. It was a bit of a schlep to get anywhere from the farthest end of Brooklyn, but I soon gathered that living in Coney was worth it. From my window, I could hear the sea lions at the aquarium and the screams from The Cyclone. When friends came to visit, we would go to Nathan’s, ride the bumper cars or The Cyclone. If we weren’t up for that (and what teenager isn’t?) we would go to the beach or grab a couple of knishes along the boardwalk.
Flea markets lined Surf Avenue during the 80’s and into the 90’s. I got THE-BEST vintage clothing from these stalls. I bought sixties dresses and suits from the forties for two bucks a pop. There were furniture and tschotska vendors as well.
During my photo school years, Coney Island and Brighton Beach were my favorite places to shoot. And they still are. I loved the crowds in the summer, but more so, I loved the desolate look of the area in the winter. If I got out of my apartment early enough on a winter weekday, I would be the only one around in the crumbling amusement park.
Coney Island will always be around. It’s just Astroland that has closed. The Cyclone, *Wonder Wheel and *Parachute Jump are historic landmarks, so they are safe from demolition. Supposedly. (* Not part of Astroland) I’d imagine that the area will change dramatically though. Will Insectavora and Donny Vomit still be welcome? What about the drag queen mermaids? I’m sure nobody is going to mess with The Polar Bears though. Let ’em try.
Fun fact: Fred Trump (Donald’s dad) bought Coney Island’s Steeplechase Park property during the 1960’s with plans to develop luxury apartments. Due to legal issues, he was never able to develop. Perhaps Thor will have the same headaches?
The -probably too late- petition to save Astroland.
6 Comments
I am crushed. I didn’t realize this actually went down. Actually, now I’m enraged.
Fight back, Justin! Buy me Dante’s Inferno for my backyard.
I want the merry go round.
You struck with the Laughing Lady in the Fun House, though. I *distinctly* remember that laugh, and I haven’t been back to Coney Island since the ’80’s. When I mimic the laugh to people who’ve been there, the laff their asses off.
Damn.
You could have a laugh-off with my brother. He does a mean Laughing Lady. He used to scare me with it when I was younger. I’m sure that was auctioned off years ago.
I was waiting for a post from you on this…knew you’d be on it like mustard on a hot dog. I’m hoping Asbury Park will consider buying the merry-go-round. That would make me feel a teeny tiny bit better.
I love these photos, by the way.