But this day in historyOn June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in America opened at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York.
According to History.com, this ride, known as the Switchback Railway, was created by LaMarcus Thompson.
According to the nonprofit, the coaster moved at about six miles per hour and cost just a penny to ride. Coney Island History ProjectThe same source says the coaster carried passengers from Surf Avenue to the ocean via West Tenth Street.
On This Day in History: June 15, 1864: Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia is Established
The rollercoaster did not make a round-trip loop. The ride consisted of two sets of parallel tracks that descended in opposite directions from tall towers, as the Western Reserve Historical Society explained.
“To complete the journey, passengers had to get out of the car when it stopped and climb another 50-foot-high tower to get back into the car,” the same source said.
On June 16, 1884, America’s first roller coaster designed for entertainment purposes opened at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. “Despite all its shortcomings, the ride was extremely popular and reportedly paid off its cost in its first month of operation.” (Reuters)
The Western Reserve Historical Society also states, “The Switchback Railway, introduced at Coney Island on June 16, 1884, has the distinction of being the first roller coaster-type ride designed and built for the purpose of amusement, rather than an existing rail line converted for that purpose.”
“Despite all its shortcomings, the ride proved extremely popular and is reported to have recovered its cost within the first month of operation.”
After success at Coney IslandSubsequently, ride manufacturer Thompson founded an amusement empire called the L.A. Thompson Scenic Railway Company.
It manufactured classic roller coasters and other rides for amusement parks all over the worldAccording to the Coney Island History Project.
“Between 1897 and 1904, three amusement parks opened on Coney Island: Dreamland, Luna Park, and Steeplechase.”
Coney Island’s first hotel opened in 1829—and by then Post-Civil War yearsAt the time, the area was an established resort, with theaters, restaurants and a racetrack, History.com reported.
“Between 1897 and 1904, three amusement parks opened on Coney Island: Dreamland, Luna Park, and Steeplechase,” History.com reported.
Coney Island was accessible by subway by the 1920s. Crowds in the summer According to History.com, people came here for picnics, games, side shows, the beach and a two-and-a-half-mile-long boardwalk completed in 1923.
Hot dog It was reportedly invented in 1867 by Charles Feltman at Coney Island.
Nathan’s is famous today not just for its hot dogs, but also for its hot dog eating contest—held every year on July 4th at Coney Island in Brooklyn. (iStock)
The same source stated, “In 1916, a hot dog stand called Nathan’s was opened by a former Feltman’s employee and became a Coney Island institution and international franchise.”
“Today, Nathan’s is famous not only for its hot dogs, but also for the hot dog eating contest that is held each year on July 4th at Coney Island.”
‘Hero’ hot-dog champion reveals how he overcame protesters and won hot dog competition
According to PBS, by the 1920s, Coney Island had lost its special charm.
“This was partly due to the arrival of Movies and radioThe same source wrote, “partly because it was too expensive to maintain at its original level of grandeur, and partly, perhaps, because it was widely imitated in other cities around the country and the world.”
In 1927, another iconic coaster, the Cyclone — a wooden roller coaster located at Coney Island’s Luna Park — opened.
The Luna Park NYC website states that “the Cyclone has a top speed of 60 mph, can carry 24 passengers, and has a total track length of 2,640 feet.”
Coney Island’s beach ride, which includes the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone. According to the Luna Park NYC website the Cyclone “reaches a maximum speed of 60 mph, can carry 24 passengers and has a total track length of 2,640 feet.” (iStock)
The same site states, “Featured in major films, music videos, and works of art, the Cyclone is a cultural phenomenon and one of Brooklyn’s most visible landmarks.”
According to Coasterpedia, it was announced in the spring of 1972 that the Cyclone would be removed to make room for an aquarium expansion — but due to a “Save the Cyclone” campaign, the closure was averted, and the coaster reopened in 1975.
The Cyclone is one of the oldest operating coasters in the country today.
Designated as a New York City Landmark in 1988 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, the Cyclone is still admired around the world today and, according to several sources, is considered one of the world’s most famous roller coasters.
Contestants will compete to see who can eat the most hot dogs during the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, 2022 at Coney Island. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)
Capable of reaching speeds of 60 mph and a drop of 85 feet, the Cyclone is the oldest coaster in the country today, according to History.com.
For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle
Today, Coney Island features an aquarium, amusement rides, Restaurants, shops and many more.
From roller coasters to go-karts, live entertainment and boardwalk games, seaside Coney Island has something for everyone, according to the Coney Island Fun Guide.
Click here to sign up for our Lifestyle newsletter
The same site states that by the mid-1960s Coney Island’s major amusement parks had closed and the area’s image had become “dilapidated.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
Nevertheless it has been revived in recent decades and remains so today A popular tourist attraction,
And it’s still home to the Cyclones.
