Fascinating Coney Island scenes you’ve never seen from summers over 100 years ago

Antique Coney Island beach scene from 1902

Note: This article may feature affiliate links, and purchases made may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Email
LinkedIn
Pocket
Reddit

There was a time when Coney Island meant summer itself. Sand between your toes, saltwater in your hair, and the echo of laughter from roller coasters and carousel music. At the turn of the 20th century, this Brooklyn spot brought crowds by the thousands. They packed the beaches, strolled the boardwalk and filled bathing pavilions with as much joy as the century could handle.

Coney Island got its start in the 1800s as a quiet beach escape, but by the 1890s, it had become a resort area with hotels, bathhouses and entertainment piers. The Manhattan Beach Hotel and the Sea Beach Palace were among the early draws. Visitors arrived by trolley, rail, boat or bus, all heading toward the same strip of sand and spectacle.

vintage coney island 1926

By the early 1900s, large amusement parks shaped the experience. Steeplechase Park, Luna Park and Dreamland brought electric lights, novelty rides and public shows. There were high-wire acts, mechanical amusements and even a staged fire-rescue exhibit. The wide boardwalk, built in the 1920s, made it easier to take in the breeze and people-watch along the coast.

The atmosphere mixed public recreation with bold attractions. People came to cool off in the ocean, walk the planks or see what new stunt was drawing a crowd. Some came for the hot dogs and ice cream stands, others to hear music or watch fireworks over the water.

Coney Island: 40 Years
  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Hardcover Book
  • Stein, Harvey (Author)

Today, the name Coney Island calls up memories of sun-soaked summers and long days near the shore. We’ve collected dozens of vintage images from the 1890s through the 1920s, showing the people, places and street scenes that helped shape those early years. You’ll find historic views of the beach, the rides, the architecture and the crowds who came back year after year.

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (1)


Streetview of Coney Island, looking northeast (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (12)


Manhattan Beach & Oriental Hotel at Coney Island (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (2)


Bathing Pavilion & Piazza Manhattan Beach Hotel (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (3)


Bathing by electric light at Manhattan Beach (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (4)


Manhattan Beach Hotel & Music Pavilion (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (5)


Manhattan Beach Hotel & Music Pavilion from the north (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (6)

ALSO SEE
Amazing newly-discovered footage takes you back to New York in 1911

Brighton Beach Hotel (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (7)


Coney Island and Prospect Park & Lower Iron Pier in West Brighton (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (8)


Paul Bauer’s Hotel, West Brighton & Coney Island elephant (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (9)


Dining room at the Sea Beach Palace & Upper Iron Pier, West Brighton (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (10)


Sea Beach palace railroad depot (1890)

Antique Coney Island photo album from 1890 (11)

ALSO SEE
These 10 old roller coasters at vintage amusement parks will make you really appreciate today's safety standards

Antique Coney Island photo from 1897: Ocean swimming

Antique Coney Island photo from 1897


Bathing – swimming in the ocean – at Coney Island NY 1900

Bathing - swimming in the ocean - at Coney Island NY 1900


Coney Island, New York’s most popular beach resort c1900

Coney Island, New York's most popular beach resort c1900


In the dashing spray of old ocean’s waves, at Coney Island c1900

In the dashing spray of old ocean's waves, at Coney Island c1900


Vintage amusement park – Shooting the rapids, Coney Island, N.Y. c1900

Vintage amusement park - Shooting the rapids, Coney Island, N.Y. c1900


About Coney Island (text from around 1923)

Coney Island is the playground of New York City, and is one of the most popular resorts in the United States. It is in the borough of Brooklyn, and is about five miles in length and from half to three-quarters of a mile in width.

It is very easily reached by fast subway express trains, trolley, also by boat and buses, which make very interesting trips.

The new boardwalk is wide enough to accommodate the multitude of people that flock there to enjoy the cool breeze.

Coney Island has many places of amusement. Steeplechase and Luna Park are the most important, which attract hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world. The most daring feats of skill, the most magnificent spectacles, the most novel and unique rides are procured by these famous parks at great expense.

No one who is within striking distance of New York City fails to go to Coney Island to enjoy a walk on the new wide boardwalk or take a dip in the surf or take in one of the many amusements.


Coney Island and Brooklyn, N.Y. illustrated (c1923)

Coney Island and Brooklyn NY c1920 - Vintage postcards

Color postcards of vintage Coney Island

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (11)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (12)

ALSO SEE
What became of Florida's historic hotels & old resorts? Trip back to these amazing Victorian vacation destinations

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (13)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (14)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (15)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (16)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (17)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (1)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (2)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (3)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (4)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (5)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (6)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (7)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (8)

ALSO SEE
Coney Island's Dreamland Tower (1904-1911)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (9)

Vintage Coney Island scenes from c1920 (10)

Bathing at Coney Island, New York (1900)

vintage coney island 1900

Coney Island in the early 1900s

vintage coney island early 1900s

On the beach at Coney Island (1902)

Coney Island beach scene from 1902

Coney Island, NY (1905)

vintage coney island 1905

Coney Island Beach & Surf Avenue (1913)

vintage coney island 1913

Coney Island beach and boardwalk (1926)

vintage coney island 1926

vintage coney island date unknown

Scene on the beach (1890s)

vintage coney island 1890s

Steeplechase Park swimming pool, Coney Island 1912

Book about Coney Island

SaleBestseller No. 1
Coney Island: Lost and Found
  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Charles Denson (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
SaleBestseller No. 2
A Coney Island of the Mind: Poems
  • Ferlinghetti, Lawrence (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 96 Pages - 01/17/1968 (Publication Date) - New Directions (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 3
Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland, 1861–2008
  • Hardcover Book
  • Frank, Robin Jaffee (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
Bestseller No. 4
Coney Island: 40 Years
  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Hardcover Book
  • Stein, Harvey (Author)
SaleBestseller No. 5
Coney Island People: 50 Years, 1970–2020
  • Hardcover Book
  • Stein, Harvey (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

PS: If you liked this article, please share it! You can also get our free newsletter, follow us on Facebook & Pinterest. Thanks for visiting and for supporting a small business! 🤩 

Facebook
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Threads
Reddit
Email
Facebook

You might also like...

The fun never ends:

Comments on this story

2 Responses

Leave a comment here!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.