#astroland

Wonder Wheel, Astroland, Coney Island NYC on a Cloudy Day

Brooklyn, 1978

PHOTO: Mary Ellen Mark

Along the Boardwalk

Here are three images I made along Coney Island’s boardwalk in the early 1980s, all looking north with full winter sun on the subject.

The first photograph gives us a close up view of Deno’s Snack Bar, the name of which is important in the annals of Coney Island history, as one will soon see. The second image shows us the famous Wonder Wheel. This ride, which opened in 1920, was still owned by Fred Garms at this stage but would be sold to Deno D. Vourderis in 1983 (and refurbished in fairly short order—I believe). It would be declared an official New York City Landmark in 1989.

The final image gives us a concession stand with the iconic Astroland Rocket perched atop—which still exists but has been moved to a different location nearby. The Astroland Tower, visible in all three images, was taken down in 2013 due to structural instability.