Why Coney Island is Totally Corrupt

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Step into the twisted past of Coney Island, New York, as we uncover the shocking corruption and fascinating tales that have plagued this legendary amusement hub for centuries. From its early beginnings under Native American control to its rise as a playground for thrill-seekers, this video delves deep into the dark underbelly of Coney Island's history.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introducing Coney Island, New York
00:31 - Coney Island under Native American control
00:51 - The early development of Coney Island
03:11 - Coney Island’s corrupt Politician (John 'Boss' McKane)
05:37 - Sea Lion Park
06:58 - Paul Boyton’s Water Chutes
05:15 - Coney Island’s Insanely corrupt property laws
06:28 - The Downfall John 'Boss' McKane
07:13 - The Rise of Coney Island Rollercoasters | The Fearless Frogman
08:34 - Paul Boyton’s Water Chutes | Coney Island’s First amusement park
09:05 - The Flip-Flap Railway - The First Looping Rollercoaster
10:07 - The Grand opening of Paul Boyton’s Water Chutes
12:02 - Steeple Chase Amusement Park
13:19 - Why Coney Island is not an island
13:40 - How Steeple Chase Park transformed the amusement park industry
14:23 - Luna Park (formerly Astroland)
15:06 - Why Coney Island amusement parks don’t last
15:47 - When Astro Tower almost collapsed
17:11 - Coney Island during the global shutdown
18:12 - Coney Island in the modern day
IT’S HISTORY - Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
» CONTACT
For brands, agencies, and sponsorships: [e-mail]
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» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Neve Brown, Bex Weinstein, Imana Schoch, Gregory Back,,
Editor - Piotr Kubiak, Karolina Szwata, Kamil Krawiec, Sebastian Ripoll, Patrycja Klimczuk, Karolina Pleskot, Oliwia Tracz,
Host - Ryan Socash
» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[@ITSHISTORY]

o start comparing quotes and simplify insurance-buying, check out Policygenius: Policygenius.com/itshistory. Thanks to Policygenius for sponsoring this video!

[@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79]

At some point I’m hoping you can do a video on Chicago’s Policy Kings how the mob pretty much crushed them and how it lead from policy to now legal illinois lottery.

[@williehubbard1587]

all of this is in the borough of brooklyn grave's end brooklyn is a cool borough mad housing projects all throughout the borough from bedstuy to marcy red hook and so on brooklyn all day.

[@SynomDroni]

11:10 japanese war flags in the backround? What's that all about?

[@ericdudley4169]

My mom got stuck on the parachute jump ride at Coney Island in the late 50s as a kid. She kept the newspaper article and loved to break it out and show us. I still love seeing it and Coney Island to this day, having been born and raised in Brooklyn!

[@gregkamer3754]

I grew up in Brooklyn, NY. I remember visiting Coney Island in the late '50's, early 60's. To my young eyes, it was an absolute fantasy world. Think of downtown Las Vegas, with all the casino lights and sounds.... This was Coney Island back then. Since reaching adulthood I've gone back a few times, but it has lost all it's shine and glitter. Except of course for the original Nathan's Hot Dog Stand. Though their prices are considerably higher then in my youth, their dogs are still the best in the world.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

I love Nathan's, I've eaten at the Coney Island stand

[@emersonsageroe6126]

And they never taste the same when you make them at home you have to go to that specific Nathan’s

[@BoredInTheComments]

I moved away from Brighton beach in 2005 when I went back like 7 years later it was a completely different place. It was kimd of depressing.

[@JustJerseyJo95]

Omg, Nathan's was awesome. I hated hot dogs, except for Nathan's. They weren't like the Nathan's you see in malls today. It was the best!

[@gameonyolo1]

Bro that Nathan's is terrible. Pretty sure the hot dog buns are just individually packaged and kept in hot drawers

[@bobd1805]

Coney island was home base for the fictional Warriors gang in the 1979 movie "The Warriors" The final scenes were shot on the beach. The best line of the whole movie was after a night of intense combat to get home the gang leader said "We fought all night to get back to this?" Perfect irony. Good job on the video. What started out as an isolated retreat from the city is now crowded by high rises.

[@JAB-bc9uv]

It actually was filmed on another beach.

[@bigglilwayne7050]

Awesome movie

[@woofman00701]

The spray painted Warriors name in the end of the movie survive to the late 90s before the gentrification of Coney Island .

[@thomasdonlin5456]

Funny you mentioned “The Warriors”. I hear Coney Island and think of that movie. Best song was Joe Walsh’s “In the City”. The soundtrack version. I have to admit, I love when Luther gets his.

[@bobd1805]

@@thomasdonlin5456 Luther was priceless. A great character actor.

[@albertowen1025]

THANK YOU FOR THIS UPLOAD! I remember my late grandfather telling about landing his first job at the old Luna Park back in the early 1920s. He said he saw many changes over the years...he got into shipbuilding by 1930 and held his sane job until 1976 when he retired at age 72. He died in 1985 at age 81. His stories were so grand. Thank you, Ryan. You brought back some great memories to me.

[@steves1749]

This is very nostalgic for me. I grew up a few blocks from Coney in Brighton Beach in the 50’s & 60’s. Steeplechase Park was great. You didn’t mention the Parachute jump whose skeleton still stands today as a monument to the great old days. I had many friends who lived in the gated community at the western tip, Sea Gate. But other things that attract people are Nathan’s Famous and the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team. And obviously the beautiful beach, ocean and boardwalk that are unique to NYC. I think your title is a little clickbait, as Coney Island hasn’t had that corruption for 90 years. But great video.

[@vincenthprice2260]

Born in Manhattan raised in Brooklyn it was a tradition for me and my family to go to Coney Island each summer season even to fish off the pier had so much fun there as skid and young adult

[@beefyz13]

I think Coney as i remembered it, Steeplechase Park, closed in 1964. Steeplechase was my "reward" for getting a good report card at the end of each school year. We only we into Steeplechase. I got the usual smiley face disc of 12 rides. Afterwards, Nathan's right outside the park, and alongside them was the ice cream concession & next to them, watermelon slices on ice. We would leave for the park from Richmond Hill Queens around 2pm or so and stay until dusk. I remember one particular thing about that, at 72, still burned into my mind as if it happened yesterday. Upon leaving the peninsula, we'd get on the Belt heading back towards Queens and this particular early night I looked back towards Coney and saw the entire Amusement area right after they put on all the flashing & night lights. It was something a youngster of 8 or so would long remember. Coney didn't die out because of corruption. It died because of the change of neighborhood, a lack of adequate parking, and the failure of investment for a sustainable future.

[@honiideslysses12]

Hey man! The Warriors had to bop their way all the way back from Pelham Park to their home turf! Warriors...come out to playyyyyyyy!!!

[@bizminded555]

That movie is a classic.

[@ronaldkonkoma4356]

Anabasis is even more of a classic. The Greek book that inspired The Warriors. Now, let's get down to it boppers.

[@OlliePete]

This channel has quickly become my favourite. And the algorithm knows it. The best thing is, because I only discovered it last week, there's so much interesting content for me to catch up on. This is when I like the algorithm. It recognises quickly that I enjoyed this channel, so everytime I refresh my feed it suggests a different video from Its History right at the top. Am I the only one baffled at the low view counts on this channel.

[@zeeqq105]

Not every one is weird like us.😂😂

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

I'm 65 years young now but my 8th grade history teacher presented and taught class just about the same way that you present on this channel .I love this Channel and I got an A in that class each semester. Keep up the good work ❤😊

[@trickolas78]

Cool 😎

[@valmarsiglia]

02:45 That illustration of the burning elephant hotel needs to be on a heavy metal album cover.

[@mrs.g.9816]

I wish I could go back in time when Luna Park and Steeplechase Park were in their heyday. I never visited Coney Island, but I've seen pictures. I think Coney Island has looked desolate and crowded in by apartment towers since the 1960's. It no longer seems to me like a place to escape to and enjoy.

[@woodencoasterfan]

I would’ve loved to have visited those parks in their heyday as well as being able to ride the original Thunderbolt.

[@flashflame4952]

@@woodencoasterfan That was an incredible ride!!! I was scared (I was very young) but the Cyclone scared me more! lol

[@ericdudley4169]

There is still a great time to be had at Coney Island! A little gritty, but still great! New rides, and new fun!

[@billv7356]

what a great video that hits home. i grew up going to coney island frequently to visit my rooski grandparents. warm feelings abound, not to mention how great it was to learn all this.

[@islandrevenant5746]

Glad you enjoyed. Condensing 200 years of history into 2,5k words was difficult to say the least.

[@rvscript]

Went to Coney Island a couple of years ago. It’s currently a dump. I pray that it will get the renovation and upkeep it needs . Place looks like a wet ash try .

[@philleotardo8623]

It's always been a dump

[@chris215est]

What makes it a dump ?

[@auntiquek2845]

How is years ago current? (Asking for a friend)

[@rvscript]

@@auntiquek2845 two years ago, i think, is current. Just saying for your friend.

[@zeeqq105]

As a person who actually lives here….. there is a lot of renovations and building going on. Unfortunately a lot of very old historic businesses are gone. There will be a year around indoor park and casinos. I’m not happy about the casinos. We complained. But they only asked our opinion to say we were acknowledged so they won’t look so heartless. Disney is set to build a hotel as well. A trolly is suppose go up and down surf ave for free. That was a few years ago. It’s not there yet.

[@michaelmichniak7287]

I can't believe you did not mention the parachute drop ride or the Wonder Wheel!!

[@gregorymoore2877]

Yes, and what about the Tornado and Thunderbolt?

[@flashflame4952]

@@gregorymoore2877 And the BOBSLED!!!

[@roncolemanlaw]

I don't understand how you can do a video about Coney Island and ignore the parachute drop - by far the most iconic symbol of Coney Island

[@donaldleider7382]

I’m 67 years old. Born and raised on Neptune avenue. Coney Island was always a dump but for young kids who had the run of the whole place it was incredible!

[@Hannah.Simpson]

The image you show of the “Elephant Hotel” Postcard says Atlantic City and Margate, NJ. This is actually the Colossus’s predecessor, since nicknamed, “Lucy the Elephant.” Lucy was built in 1881, also by James Lafferty. Quite remarkably, unlike her bigger (in size I mean) little brother Colossus at Coney Island, she is still standing today and can be toured by the public. I have been and highly recommend it.

[@johnfoy2840]

Boy, you are good!!

[@mtasubwaymartasubway]

He needs to learn how to do better research, he messes up in most of his documentaries

[@jond5925]

WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE ELEPHANT IN MARGET NEW JERSEY & WHY DID THEY GIVE HER THAT NAME, I REMEMBER MO JOS PLACE THE BEST PHILLY CHEESESTEAK S AROUND MARGET & A BARCALLED ROCKY CASTELANNINES, PHOTOS OF BOXERS ALL OVER THE WALLS SO MUCH FOR TRIVIA QUESTIONS!!!!!😂😍😍😍👄👄👄🤗🤗🤗🔥🔥🔥👄👄👄😇😇😇

[@williamsanphy3126]

I grew up going to Coney Island, I lived a few miles away in Marine Park. When I was a kid the old Astroland was still open but you could see how old it was, I was excited when they opened the new Luna Park. Coney Island seems to be getting better from what I remembered when I lived there but I left New York 3 years ago

[@PhiloYT1]

Is Nathan's still there? That was as much of an attraction as the Cyclone or the Parachute Drop. People would line up 10 deep for a Hot Dog and French Fries.

[@jamesmcnaughton5092]

Nathan's is still there

[@TommyTombs]

My mom said the parachute ride was the scariest of all of em

[@danzena4059]

Nathan is still there and the hot dog eating contest is still there

[@SmithMrCorona]

Nathan's is still here, the food is still pretty awful

[@icookthat4623]

Your narration is perfect 💯. This is definitely one of my favorite channels 👏

[@clareomarfran]

I love Coney Island. I lived in Brooklyn and we used to go swimming, drop some change in the batting cages, and ride the Wonder Wheel which scared me. Also rode the Cyclone, once. And later out to see the Cyclones (Class A, Mets farm team) play baseball in that great little park by the beach. Part of Astroland's appeal was its tackiness, almost like the old fairs. And that boardwalk from Brighton Beach was great for running.

[@pmak26viper]

Cyclone is not the oldest wooden coaster in the world. I believe that title resides in Altoona, Pa - Leap The Dips. Signed... The engineer who oversaw the install of the new Astro Tower in 2018 lol

[@gcanyon3114]

PBS has a great documentary on Coney Island

[@jamesstephens9702]

Thanks for sharing this video on coney island. I am baby boomer and my generation in NYC grew up in the later heyday of coney island.

[@CoasterJawn]

Dang I was hoping you’d delve into why Zamperla, an amusement ride manufacturer, owns Luna Park, and why’s Deno’s Wonder Wheel is a separate park despite being in the dead center of Luna Park. Good overview though!

[@mistermonkey5842]

Carney grift is what springs to mind. And yes, it is rather suspicious that with nary a whisper, you are suddenly in a different park with different tickets despite never having left the fenced-in area.

[@crooked-halo]

I didn't hear very much about corruption at Coney Island but did hear a brief summary of its history, laced with errors, most of them minor. As a Wood roller coaster hobbyist/historian I must point out some _glaring_ errors. 14:34 - The Cyclone is not the "oldest all wooden roller coaster in the world." The honor of the oldest wood roller coaster belongs to Leap The Dips at Lakemont Park in Altoona, PA, built in 1902 and still operating today. Cyclone, built in 1927, is the 15th oldest wood coaster. It's also not "all wooden" as it has a steel supporting structure but is still considered a wood coaster because of its wood track. At 12:57 it's said the Steeplechase coaster had "42 separate tracks." LOL! No, it had 8 tracks side by side.

[@gretschviking]

Steeplechase Park closed in September, 1964, not 1961.

[@YoungHeartedSoul]

I love this channels videos. Ive lived here since I was 6 and now 50, still learning new thing about NYC’S history!

[@brooklynbred1460]

Grew up in Brooklyn. The 80s was so fun. The Himalaya ride on Friday nights was like an outdoor night club. The DJ playing hip hop as we danced and partied.

[@sparker7768]

Late 70s/early 80s, my mom would bring us from Manhattan, "D" train all the way down to Coney Island. First stop, Nathan's, then bumper cars, other rides, always ending at the Himalaya 🎵🎶🎵

[@YakkoWarnerTower]

I remember going on vacation to NYC in 2018 with family and I actually found Coney Island in Brooklyn kinda fun.

[@JustJerseyJo95]

My family is from Brooklyn and my aunt and uncle lived down the street from the amusement park in Coney Island. I remember my grandparents taking me there when I was little. I remember loving them make cotton candy. I would always ask my grandparents to buy me some so I could watch it be made. But, I hated cotton candy, I just thought the way they made it was cool. I would walk behind them pretending to eat it, but would tear chunks off and drop them behind me. I remember my first ride on the Cyclone!! I can't remember exactly, but if I remember correctly, the aquarium was nearby. That was my favorite!! My Aunt would take us to the aquarium and it was always so much fun! RIP Aunt Harriet. She was such a kind and caring person. She was a school teacher and then became a principal of a school. I remember how much she cared for those kids, all kids. But I remember her buying shoes for kids whose parents were having a difficult time financially. Her 2 sons, my cousins, because teachers in Brooklyn too. She lived in a high rise building on the 23rd floor, which always scared me, much more than riding the Cyclone! So many wonderful memories!

[@kobieadams97]

I grew up in Coney Island on 24th and surf from the 80s to early 90s. Will always be home to me!!!

[@mozeki]

I would watch a series that tells the story of the John McCain Era of Coney Island and Gravesend. That guy was something else.

[@heru-deshet359]

I loved Coney as a kid in the mid 1960s. It was a very entertaining venue with many vintage rides still working, not the crap it is now.

[@naomifisher6200]

Great video! I loved all the information.

[@dh510]

If that's true, it should be renamed to "Crony Island"!

[@jtgd]

Phony island

[@thedude3620]

That's the Original Name.

[@Jason-rn4jk]

Soviet island!

[@islandrevenant5746]

That election scandal was one of the biggest news stories in New York that year. The trial itself took up full pages of local/national papers and were the primary search result looking for his name in archive websites.

[@edwardroche2480]

It should be called Couney Island.

[@FunkAndFluff]

14:31 Minor correction: The oldest wooden roller coaster in the world is Leap the Dips at Lakemont Park in Pennsylvania, opened in 1902.

[@patrickwagner6247]

Cyclone is not the oldest roller coaster in the world. There are several that are older, including Leap the Dips in Altoona, PA.

[@ytzpilot]

Yes and the second one is in Luna Park in Melbourne Australia, Luna Park is themed after the former Luna Park on Coney Island

[@khaotic81]

The oldest roller coaster in the world was built in coney Island called the switchback roller coaster, which came before the cyclone. The cyclone replaced the switchback coaster.

[@flashback0978]

nor is it an "all wood" coaster, its structure is a mix of wood and steel

[@urbex_coasters]

@@khaotic81What evolved into coasters was first built in Russia in the 1400s (these ice sleds still exist today, it's why some countries call coasters "Russian Mountains"). Fun fact, something resembling the ice sleds still exists in a lot of northern cities in the winter. Quebec City has one, one I've done. The oldest known standing coaster in the world (I say "known" because knowing what I know about coaster history I wouldn't be surprised if a coaster even older would be operating in Russia, hidden from western eyes because the place it's at hasn't done anything with the companies one might see at IAPPA type conferences) is Pennsylvania's Leap The Dips, which sadly won't be operating this year. A real shame as it's quite fun, I've ridden it.

[@charlesbarkley223]

​@@urbex_coasters 🧢

[@edwardroche2480]

A long time ago they put amusement park rides there. There was a man there who was saving prematurely born babies. He set up a display of little babies who had been born prematurely. Cheese stick up incubators here because there weren't a lot of people who would frown upon what he was doing with the infants. As a result of his work most premature babies can be saved now. This man should be remembered. Many people owe their lives to his research. Or did I miss that part. His name was Couney. Premature babies from neighboring hospitals were brought to him. Couney saved several thousand infants.

[@philliplyn2692]

Loving this one thanks for sharing very information blessed love to all knowledge is power hopefully everyone pays attention keep up the good work 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@phillambrose3496]

The Big Dipper at Blackpool Pleasure Beach UK was built in 1923 and it Celebrates it's 100th Birthday this year. It's older than the Cyclone at Coney Island.

[@DMETS519]

I heard there was a famous hot dog stand in coney island.

[@milzmagnetic8225]

Long Time Suscriber. Would Love To Learn more about my Hometown Newark, NJ

[@ITSHISTORY]

That already on my list :)

[@donna7873]

Thanks Ryan 👍🏼🌼

[@vincentnnyc]

I’m going to coney island today 5/26/24 with my wife and 2 kids…we live 10 minutes subway ride from Coney Island

[@user-kh6mk4gg8y]

Such FUN!!...as usual, you have informed and entertained...I have spread the word as much as I can around my Thoughtful Contemporaries about your Channel...all of the same Vintage which is between 50yrs and Eternity...thank you Ryan, and your Team...dgp/uk

[@CBLounge2112]

I would love to see you do a video about Old Chicago amusement park/shopping mall that was in Bolingbrook in the mid to late 70's, now there's a blast from our past!! Cheers!!

[@newyorkvisionary]

Would love more videos on Coney Island. Been going there my whole life and still do at least once a year!

[@Sparksflyoutmyass]

How about a video of Palisades Amusement Park in NJ Ryan? TIA

[@sparker7768]

That "wave" slide frightened me, but I loved it at the same time!

[@charlesmarkert5224]

I grew up in Brooklyn Born in the Coney Island hospital 1936 as kids we would ride our bikes down from our apartment in 2003 Stillwell Avenue all the way down the Coney Island to Nathan‘s hotdog stand and when we got to the beach, we use the parachute jump as a guide to set up our spot, was amazed that you didn’t mention the parachute jump at all and iconic landmark my mother would let me ride parachute jump so when I became an adult I joined the 11 Airborne parachute division, so I could finally take the parachute jumps I always wanted, but thank you for the review of Coney Island. Great fun there as a kid.👍🤡🇺🇸

[@papanoel3999]

That very first Carosel, was that a camel I saw. Cool.(and what part of the Elephant was the Brothel located..)

[@jamesmcnaughton5092]

I recently went to Cony Island so I could bring my elderly father back to the place of his youth that he enjoyed, we went on the feris wheel and I nearly craped my pants, we had a great day

[@cipheraeon1642]

Did he spray paint faces, wear a red vest and beat up clowns?

[@eyestoenvy]

This was excellent, thank you. I love Coney Island, especially the Wonder Wheel, great memories on that ride with several dates. There were some great rides that are now long gone, like Astroland's Break Dancer, or the Saturn 6 which sat a corner lot near the bowery. As did the old rickety Zipper, Hammer, and the infamous Hell Hole (a rotor ride), all gone an replaced with newer attractions that just don't offer the same thrill. I constantly find myself looking up at the parachute jump wondering what that free falling sensation was like (yes, they were REAL parachutes and were the only thing slowing your decent towards a bouncy landing). And the old abandoned roller coaster that was torn down during the Giuliani era, the Thunderbolt. Not to be confused with the new one using the very same name. There was also another rollercoaster that was long gone that I saw in movies and pics only, which was simply beautiful. It was called the Tornado! A must see in KZbin clips. Try some treats at "Williams Candy on Surf Avenue for some of the best candy apples anywhere. And Nathan's is not just hotdogs btw, their loaded fries are to die for. As are their delicious lobster rolls too. Again, thanks for this, very well done.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Thank you, Ryan for the trip down memory lane. 😊 I remember going to Coney Island when I was a little kid in the early 1950's. I begged my Dad to take me on the Cyclone (He said I was too young).😁

[@joedirt3449]

I'm loving it!

[@mizukarate]

I remember when The Warriors came back from The Bronx. Those were the times!!!!!

[@eriksmith6873]

I'm a little confused by the pic of the elephant-shaped hotel. I thought that was in Atlantic City, NJ. In fact, the caption on the postcard displayed in the video says Atlantic City (2:32). The style of the postcard indicates that it was published between 1907 and WWI. Yet three slides later we see an 1896 magazine cover (the Illustrated American, at 2:47) with a pic of the elephant-shaped hotel burning down, with a headline clearly stating that this happened on Coney Island. So I'm not disputing accuracy -- I'm just wondering, could it be that there were two elephant-shaped hotels?

[@TimBWig]

Great video. Thank you. Could you possibly do a future video on the former Edgewood psychiatric hospital on long island in new York. It was adjacent to the pilgrim state psychiatric hospital. It's now a park but parts of the facility still remain hidden.

[@user-tf2ru7oz6w]

I visited Coney Island in the 1990s when it was basically a shell of what it was. I would liked to have seen it in it's heyday. It's greatly improved recently. FYI, the land where Steeplechase Park was located was bought by Donald Trump's father from the Tilyou Family in the 1960s. The site was cleared and a low income housiing project was built on the site while is still there to this day. It's early development was very interesting. They should recreate the original Steeplechase ride so visitors could enjoy the same thrills that their parents and grandparents. Maybe even a Coney Island Museum with relics from the past. At least Nathan's Hot Dog Stand is still there and the hot dogs and fries are good. It's a real taste of the Big Apple.

[@thema1998]

1) Today is the *1* year anniversary of when "Why Coney Island is Totally Corrupt" was uploaded! 🤓 2) I went to Coney Island every year from 2009 to 2019. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, I've only gone back to Coney Island once. That was back in October 2021. I haven't gone back to Coney Island in the summer since 2019. I don't see that changing anytime soon. My family has gone through various periods of financial issues. Plus, nobody but me wants to go there anymore. I'm 25 but I can't go by myself. I don't have the money and I worry that somebody would try to steal my things while I go on rides! ☹️

[@josecarlosmaltinez4196]

Thanks....❤❤❤

[@Belial-jg8rp]

The oldest wooden rollercoaster is Leap the Dip in Altoona Pennsylvania, built in 1902

[@MrTwenty20video]

Good content. 😊

[@hexenofficial]

The 'Leap the Dips' at Lakemont Park is actually the oldest all-wood coaster in the world.

[@tomjones5650]

Your the12th person to mention it. We already know. 😊😅😂

[@haywardmKW]

Steeplechase Park closed on Sept 20, 1964 not 61 My father took us there just before it closed.

[@CHRISMED2]

I wonder if an exact copy of Steeplechase Park was rebuilt on Cony Island if it would make money??

[@stephenwright414]

The McCain feller sounds like a video on its own!

[@NightBazaar]

A just a mention, there was a Coney Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati Ohio, right along the Ohio River. Lots of fun rides and other things to do there.

[@milestone_achiever4634]

They also had the amusement park in the Rockaways. That one has been decommissioned for many , many years

[@savage751]

17:51 oh man I was getting nauseous just looking at that thing swaying

[@MrBoogaloo86]

"You left out Mob Extortion; a major part of Coney's deterioration."

[@EPiche09]

People getting out of those coaster carts without even lifting a lap bar is crazy.

[@NYrender]

The state of Coney Island should be contributed to current corrupted local and city politicians.

[@Jmar1024]

Coney Island had become a junkie haven. It's very expensive and can be dangerous at night. Nathans hot dogs are great but extremely overpriced, just like everything else. The fireworks show every Friday in the summer is fun yet crowded. But again, be prepared to spend a ton of money on tickets and concessions

[@whatujackintv.talkcast]

Aint no place like home ! Coney island

[@remie4494]

Today, there's a Gated Community in Coney Island. Would love to hear about it. I'm sure you'd find some history on it.

[@flashflame4952]

That's Sea Gate, where my aunt used to live. You had to stop at the guard's gate to be let in. There were big houses there owned by one person. Years later people sold their houses to people that partitioned those big houses into smaller apartments.

[@zeeqq105]

@@flashflame4952I did the 2000 census there. Nothing special there.

[@colincampbell7027]

Maybe do a history on Riverview--Chicago's old amusement park

[@jordanwhite352]

I would argue as someone frequenced Coney Island a lot and is very familiar with the area and the locals. That while covid-19 was probably the worse in terms of overall finance because everything was operational yet couldn't be used the worst I've ever seen, it was immediately posed Hurricane Sandy. And even in the winter times there was a type of vibrance just like the rest of New York City. But with all the damage that was done to all the different buildings and rides, it looked like some sort of Terminator like post future where like cyberpunk Detroit you would imagine it to look like with boarded up buildings and almost no people. It was scary.

[@Nathion-Gold]

My first time in Coney island was 2021 or 2020 if I'm not mistaken. Horrible experience, couldn't not understand the hype of it. My dad wants to visit this summer but I keep telling him not to waste a of his trip in Coney island. Honestly he just want to see it because it's famous in the movies

[@ThomasPiccirillo-gc4yi]

Fun Fact: The word Coney means Rabbit! There were many rabbits on the island when the Dutch settled. It is derived from the Dutch word Konijn which evolved into Coney! Great video! Thank you!

[@Thomasjcolbert82]

I got stuck on one of the rollercoasters when I was young.

[@cruisecrazy7066]

It sounds like corrupt McCain would have done well as Premier of Ontario.

[@GalvestonGuy]

I had an interesting time sailing to Coney Island in June 2017. A wind storm suddenly swept the island in a sandstorm. My small boat was trashed inside. It was a terrible experience. Not the fault of thre island :)

[@jetsons101]

Ghostrider at Knott's Berry Farm and Cyclone at Coney Island are "for me" two of the best wooden coasters ever.

[@crooked-halo]

Having ridden every wood coaster in the U.S. and 32 defunct wood coasters since 1982, you have an excellent favorite in Ghostrider! It is indeed one of the best wood coasters currently operating, even though a recent rehabilitation by Great Coasters International left it less thrilling than when Ghostrider was new. Apocalypse at nearby Magic Mountain is an excellent wood coaster as well.

[@jetsons101]

@@crooked-halo Thanks. Haven't been to Magic Mountain forever. Ghostrider before the refurb was better. If I had a dollar for every time I rode Coney Island Cyclone, well I would have a lot of dollars. lol lol lol

[@MrNurserob]

Pennsylvania Toboggan Co?

[@jetsons101]

@@MrNurserob Just read about them, that's one old "classic" coaster company.....

[@crooked-halo]

@@jetsons101 I went to Magic Mountain Christmas Day and also the 26th last year (2022), mainly to ride Apocalypse. I'm primarily a wood coaster hobbyist. Magic Mountain is a beautiful park for a Six Flags theme park, but it's too big, too much walking, too many hills, too expensive and usually too crowded. I'm a fan of traditional amusement parks like Knoebels (the best!), Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (as an example near you), Kennywood, Waldameer Park etc, and don't enjoy most large, corporate theme parks. I only endure them to ride a good wood coaster. Magic Mountain was almost empty Christmas Day but the day after they unexpectedly had the most crowded day of 2022! Totally unexpected, lines were running 3+ hours, and their Fast Pass system totally broke down! It was miserable, so I'm glad I got about 20 rides on Apocalypse Christmas Day. It's a wonderful wood coaster hidden & tucked away in the back of the park. I do ride & enjoy steel coasters & rode several at Magic Mountain but only half their coasters were open due to staffing issues.

[@MichaelDunetz777-qw4jn]

Coney Island 🏝️ is the most magical and happiest place on earth 🌎🌍 And it is where dreams come true ❤️💐

[@everybodywantstoruletherad279]

I mean, I still enjoy the cyclone. Might be me and my kids fav roller coaster. It’s expensive as hell now, but for we hit up the park literally everytime we hit up Brooklyn

[@jamelroulhac5041]

I’m actually working in Coney Island right now as I’m watching this video

[@brycevo]

It's still so iconic

[@JuanJDumeP]

I have beautiful memories as a kid there, like the candy dipped apples. 😊

[@adamw116]

The politics surrounding Coney Island's existence might make for a good movie or series in the vein of Boardwalk Empire or Gangs of New York.

[@FDNY101202]

Can you do a video on the movie the warriors and how accurate it is/isn't? One of my favorite movies of all time.

[@crazyconeyislandkid]

No mention about the oldest ride in Coney Island? Denos wonderwheel. 103 years old and still a family run business! Denos wonderwheel park is so much better then Luna park 🤣

[@jasonguzman564]

I remember seeing it swing that night definitely freaky

[@davidweaver2156]

The only thing I knew about Coney Island is that the Warriors considered it home

[@nickysindora6952]

Can you do a story about the steel Pier please I would love to see that video

[@nunyabidness117]

The park owners were undeterred...not 'on the turd'.

[@reggiefurlow1]

Lake compounce in CT is older

[@DeadlyVenomKing]

Can you reveiew Prospect Park, Brooklyn and Central Park Nyc

[@stevenrogers5338]

Hell yeah, purchased.

[@joepilcicki3838]

I love all your specials cyclone is the world's greatest roller coaster from that period stone existence and my favorite not the oldest and Steeplechase Park closed 1964 nine 1961