Coney Island in the 19th Century

The Brooklyn Museum's official blog has posted some great information about Coney Island history, along with some accompanying pictures. The history of 20th century Coney Island is pretty well documented in other places on the web, but the Brooklyn Museum focuses on the less well known history of pre-amusement park 19th century Coney Island. Interesting bits of trivia include the facts that the West side of Coney Island (now Coney Island) was known as 'Sodom by the Sea' in the mid-1800s due to it's large number of prostitutes and gangs, and that the amusement parks were preceded by attractions such as the 'Midget's Palace,' and the 'Convention of Curiosities.'


Coney Island & Entertainment [Brooklyn Museum]

- post by Ben Nadler