Coney Island

The book I read to research this post was Coney Island by Professor Solomon which is an excellent book which I downloaded for free from

getfreeebooks.com

Half the book is about the history of coney island & the other half is about when he visits there.

Originally coney island was inhabitated by the carnesie native american tribe who didn't live there but used to go there to collect clam shells. It became popular with americans when a linking bridge was constructed in the 19th century & then became really popular when it was linked to new york by rail. It was nicknamed sodom by the sea because of things like prostitution & gambling which went on there. John McKane was mayor & was a bit of a racketeer taking kickbacks from places like the gambling dens. He also rigged the local elections & was a law unto himself. When they finally indicted him they were able to clean the places image up a bit. Hot dogs & roller coasters originated there. Also when the incubator was invented none of the hospitals were interested so the inventor displayed premature babies in them & people paid to go in & see them. Over 7000 babies were rescued in this way until the hospitals took the invention seriously. Also the 1st amusement park was here. Two of the amusement parks got burnt down although 1 got rebuilt. Nowadays coney island is quite seedy & is part of brooklyn.