There's not much left of the Coney Island that I'd seen in a postcard and memorabilia collection that I'd built up over a few years. Like many other parks, it had taken a real hammering in the depression, recovering injured in the late thirties. The tawdry post nickel empire streets that appeared before us gave no clue as to the history of the place. All that was left of a bygone glory was a few odd building tops peeping through here and there in the Bowery and on the Boardwalk.

There it was - gone! The Thunderbolt was missing. On an earlier visit in Summer 1999 the vine-overgrown and derelict roller coaster had all but been reclaimed by nature who, a few months later in the year, was to be given more than a helping hand when it was torn down by the Mayor's wrecking ball. He was not able to do much about Brooklyn's Eiffel Tower, the Parachute Jump, as it had been declared an official City Landmark in 1977, and again in 1988. Preservation had been carried out on it in 1992 when the structure was painted and made safe.

 

All very sad but where there's hope there's life! All is underlined by the wonderful long Boardwalk which, since May 1923, has been an ideally suitable partner to the light sandy beach and the Atlantic. The Cyclone roller coaster, the Wonder Wheel and a few other rides from the 30s and 40s have survived, preserved and still making fun and money in the Astroland amusement park. My friend almost slipped her disk on the log flume ride which I think is from the same period as the Wonder Wheel, but didn't sue. There's also the wonderful New York Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation that's well worth a visit.

The single older B&B merry-go-round, another survivor from the 1930s, can be found in Surf Avenue too. In the last couple of years, the weekend firework displays in summer could be heard and sometimes seen over the rooftops all the way from Bensonhurst. The Coney Island Museum and summer Mermaid Parade keep the community and place alive.