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Parachute Jump

The Parachute Jump is a 262-foot-tall (80 m) steel lattice tower and former amusement ride located in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York, at the site of the now-defunct Steeplechase Park.^[1]^[2] Originally constructed in 1939 for the New York World's Fair in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, inspired by military parachute training towers, as an amusement ride simulating free-fall descents using actual parachutes.^[1]^[2] Relocated to Coney Island between 1940 and 1941 by the Tilyou family, owners of Steeplechase Park, it was repurposed as a public thrill ride, hoisting pairs of passengers to the summit before releasing them for a controlled 10- to 15-second descent to a sand-and-rubber-padded landing area.^[1]^[2] The ride operated seasonally from 1941 until its closure on September 19, 1964, alongside the shuttering of Steeplechase Park, though it continued under different management until 1968, attracting up to half a million visitors annually despite frequent weather-related downtime from ocean breezes.^[1]^[3] Designed by U.S. Navy Commander James H. Strong and engineered by the Elwyn E. Seelye Company of New York, the structure weighs 170 tons and features a hexagonal space-frame tower with a flared concrete base for stability, six cantilevered steel arms extending from the top, and 12 drop points equipped with guide cables to ensure safe parachute deployment.^[2] During World War II, it served as a blackout beacon for returning pilots due to its prominent silhouette along the Brooklyn waterfront.^[1] The ride maintained a perfect safety record throughout its operation, with three cable operators per parachute and rigorous pre-drop testing in windy conditions.^[3] Though never highly profitable for the Tilyou family owing to maintenance costs and closures, it became an iconic symbol of Coney Island's golden age of amusement parks, embodying the era's blend of engineering innovation and leisure spectacle.^[3]^[2] Since its decommissioning, the Parachute Jump has stood as the last surviving element of Steeplechase Park, its rusting form a poignant reminder of mid-20th-century American fun.^[1] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and designated a New York City Landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission on May 23, 1989 (LP-1638), recognizing its engineering significance and cultural role in Coney Island's history.^[1]^[2] Restoration proposals have periodically emerged, including lighting enhancements in the 2010s and discussions of reactivation, but high costs, structural deterioration, and compliance with modern safety regulations have prevented revival, leaving it as a protected, non-operational monument. As of 2025, it remains a key element in Coney Island's revitalization efforts.^[1]^[3]^[4]

Overview

Description

The Parachute Jump is a 262-foot (80 m) tall open-frame steel tower located on the Riegelmann Boardwalk in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York.^[1] This six-sided structure, weighing approximately 170 tons, features a filigree-like metal framework with 12 drop points and stands as a prominent visual element along the waterfront.^[2] The ride mechanism simulates a parachute descent, where riders in open cars are hoisted by cable to the top of the tower before being released to drop under parachutes tethered to steel cables.^[1] Each parachute, designed to carry two passengers, guides the descent along vertical wires, landing on a concrete platform with shock absorbers to cushion the arrival.^[2] This setup provided a thrilling, controlled free-fall experience lasting about 10-15 seconds.^[1] Originally constructed as an amusement ride for the 1939 New York World's Fair, the Parachute Jump was relocated to Coney Island between 1940 and 1941 and operated until 1964 as part of Steeplechase Park.^[2] Now defunct and unused since its closure, it remains preserved as a New York City Landmark, designated in 1989, and serves as an iconic symbol of Coney Island's amusement heritage, visible from the boardwalk and surrounding areas.^[1]

Technical Specifications

The Parachute Jump ride is supported by a 262-foot (80 m) tall steel lattice tower weighing 170 tons, constructed with a six-sided framework for enhanced stability and load distribution. The design draws inspiration from the Eiffel Tower's open-lattice structure, utilizing riveted steel members braced with horizontal and diagonal angles every 7 feet to withstand wind loads and operational stresses. Designed by U.S. Navy Commander James H. Strong and engineered by the Elwyn E. Seelye Company of New York, the tower was fabricated primarily from riveted steel by Bethlehem Steel Company, with concrete footings anchored on timber piles for foundation support.^[2] The ride's core mechanism involves a system of 12 parachutes, each measuring 32 feet (9.8 m) in diameter and constructed from waterproof canvas reinforced with steel shroud lines to maintain shape during descent. Each parachute is attached to a double-seat gondola accommodating two riders, which is hoisted to the top of the tower via 200-foot (61 m) cables powered by electric motors housed in a base building. Upon reaching the summit, an automatic release mechanism deploys the parachute for a controlled free-fall descent, with the empty parachutes subsequently winched back to the loading arms for reuse. The 12 cantilevered steel arms, each approximately 45 feet long, extend from the tower's upper platform to position the parachutes for launch. The tower features a hexagonal space-frame with a flared concrete base for stability.^[2] Operational capacity reaches up to 165 riders per hour, facilitated by the ability to ascend five cars simultaneously using the elevator-like hoisting system, enabling efficient cycling of passengers during peak operation at the World's Fair. Safety is ensured through centrifugal brakes on the descent cables, regulating the drop speed to 18 feet per second (5.5 m/s), along with vertical guide wires that minimize swaying and shock absorbers at the landing platform to cushion arrivals on the 68-foot-radius concrete deck. These features contribute to the ride's mechanical reliability, with ascent times averaging 57 seconds and descents lasting 11-15 seconds depending on wind conditions.^[2]

Historical Development

Precursors

The development of parachute jump simulations originated in military training needs during the early 20th century, particularly following World War I aviation advancements that emphasized reliable emergency egress from aircraft. Engineers like James Floyd Smith, a former trapeze artist and aviation pioneer, contributed significantly by inventing the first manually operated ripcord parachute in 1919, which allowed for controlled free-fall deployment and greatly enhanced safety over earlier static-line systems. This innovation, tested at U.S. Army facilities such as McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio, laid the groundwork for training methods that simulated jumps without risking aircraft involvement.^[5]^[6] In the 1920s, the Soviet Union pioneered the use of fixed wooden towers for paratrooper training, enabling mass instruction on parachute handling and landing techniques at heights up to 100 feet; by the 1930s, these structures had proliferated, influencing global military programs with their cable-guided descent mechanisms to mimic aerial drops safely. U.S. Army interest grew in the 1930s amid rising tensions in Europe, prompting experiments with similar harness-and-cable systems at bases like Fort Benning, Georgia, though full-scale towers there were not erected until the early 1940s; these early prototypes used harnesses to lower trainees slowly, building confidence in parachute deployment from elevated structures.^[7] The transition to civilian amusement rides began in the mid-1930s, adapting military-inspired technology for entertainment. Retired U.S. Navy Commander James H. Strong, drawing from his naval aviation experience and observations of 1930s training towers, patented a stabilized parachute drop system on August 7, 1936, featuring auxiliary cables to prevent spinning and ensure gentle landings. Strong's design first appeared as a recreational attraction in 1936 at Chicago's Riverview Park, where a repurposed 200-foot observation tower was converted into the "Pair-O-Chutes," a smaller-scale ride accommodating two passengers per harness and using cable mechanics for controlled descents of about 150 feet. This version proved popular, demonstrating the feasibility of fixed-structure jumps for public thrill-seeking while incorporating safety features like double harnesses.^[2]^[8] These precursors directly inspired larger-scale implementations, blending military rigor with civilian excitement to evolve parachute simulations into iconic fairground features.

Design and Construction

In 1938, the New York World's Fair Corporation awarded the contract for the Parachute Jump to International Parachuting, Inc., the company founded by inventor Commander James H. Strong, to feature as a key attraction in the fair's Amusements Area.^[2] The project, engineered by Elwyn E. Seelye & Company, manufactured by Bethlehem Steel Company, and erected by Skinner, Cook & Babcock, aimed to deliver an exhilarating yet secure amusement ride capable of handling the anticipated crowds of up to 50 million visitors over the fair's run.^[2]^[9] This design sought to simulate the sensation of a free-fall parachute jump from an airplane while eliminating associated risks, providing fairgoers with a novel thrill aligned with the event's optimistic vision of progress.^[10] Construction commenced in December 1938 at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and was completed in time for the ride's debut on May 27, 1939, approximately five months later.^[2] The 262-foot tapered steel tower, weighing 170 tons, was assembled in prefabricated sections hoisted into place by cranes, forming a slender, umbrella-crowned structure that supported 12 parachutes each 32 feet in diameter.^[2] The total construction cost amounted to roughly $99,000, reflecting the engineering demands of creating a durable, wind-resistant frame suitable for repeated public use.^[2] The Parachute Jump marked several innovations in commercial amusement engineering, including the first large-scale application of an elevator system to lift riders to the apex and cable-guided parachutes for controlled descents accessible to the masses.^[2]^[11] These featured auxiliary stabilizing cables to prevent canopy collapse, double-seat harnesses for pairs, and hydraulic shock absorbers at the base to cushion landings, ensuring safety during operations that could accommodate loads up to 600 pounds per parachute.^[2] Building briefly on earlier military training towers used for parachute drills, the ride adapted these concepts for civilian entertainment on an unprecedented scale.^[2] Among the primary engineering challenges were bolstering the tower's structural integrity to withstand high wind loads in an open park setting and integrating the ride's modern, streamlined aesthetic with the fair's overarching "World of Tomorrow" theme of technological advancement.^[2] The tapered design and robust steel fabrication addressed aerodynamic stresses, while the overall form evoked futuristic optimism to complement exhibits like the Trylon and Perisphere.^[2] These considerations ensured the attraction not only functioned reliably but also enhanced the fair's narrative of innovation and safety in leisure.^[10]

Operation

World's Fair Era

The Parachute Jump made its debut at the 1939 New York World's Fair on May 27, 1939, as a key attraction in the Amusements Zone at the southeastern end near Fountain Lake, sponsored by the Life Savers Candy Company.^[2] Integrated into the fair's entertainment offerings, the ride provided visitors with a simulated parachute descent from a 262-foot tower, harnessing military training technology adapted for civilian thrill-seekers in double-seat harnesses.^[2] Tickets cost 40 cents for adults and 25 cents for children until 7 p.m., drawing crowds during the first season amid the fair's overall attendance of over 25 million visitors.^[2]^[1] The attraction quickly gained popularity for its exhilarating free-fall sensation and stunning aerial views of the fairgrounds, earning praise in contemporary accounts for blending novelty with safety.^[2] For the 1940 season, the ride reopened following winter storage and a slight relocation closer to the IND subway entrance adjacent to the Children's World area, continuing to operate despite the fair's attendance being impacted by escalating news of World War II in Europe.^[2]^[12] Crowds persisted, sustaining interest even as overall fair visitation fell short of projections.^[1] The Jump was featured in newsreels and promotional films highlighting the fair's amusements, further boosting its appeal as a symbol of optimistic escapism.^[13] Operationally, the ride ran daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., managed by a team of approximately 20 operators who handled the twelve parachute bays, with eleven eventually in use.^[2] Minor incidents, such as parachute jams due to wedged cables or guide wires, occurred occasionally but were resolved on-site by staff using adjacent chutes or manual interventions; notable examples include a July 12, 1939, mishap that suspended a couple 110 feet in the air for five hours and a September 9 incident leaving two women dangling at 230 feet for 30 minutes.^[14]^[15] These events, while briefly deterring some riders, underscored the ride's mechanical complexities without compromising its overall safety record during the fair era.^[2]

Steeplechase Park Era

Following the closure of the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair, the Parachute Jump was acquired by the Tilyou family, owners of Steeplechase Park, for $150,000 and relocated to Coney Island's boardwalk in 1941.^[16]^[2] The structure was dismantled at the fairgrounds and re-erected on a large reinforced concrete base adjacent to the park's entrance, with assembly completed in time for reopening in May 1941.^[2] Integrated as a centerpiece attraction, the ride's new position offered riders panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the bustling boardwalk below, enhancing its appeal as a permanent fixture in the amusement park.^[1] During its 23 years at Steeplechase Park, the Parachute Jump operated seasonally from May through September, aligning with the park's summer-focused schedule.^[3] Unlimited rides were initially included in the park's general admission fee of 25 cents, making it accessible to families and drawing crowds during peak postwar years in the 1950s.^[1] The attraction saw up to 500,000 riders annually at its height, contributing significantly to Steeplechase's popularity as a wholesome entertainment destination.^[1] Riders ascended the 262-foot tower in about one minute before free-falling on one of twelve double-seat parachutes for a 10- to 15-second descent, with the setup allowing for up to 24 simultaneous jumps.^[1]^[2] Maintenance efforts ensured reliable operation, including annual repainting of the steel tower at a cost of approximately $15,000 to prevent corrosion from the salty sea air.^[2] By the mid-1940s, the original colorful parachutes were replaced with plain white ones for simplicity and visibility.^[2] During World War II, the tower's lights served as a navigational beacon during blackouts, adapting the structure for wartime utility while maintaining its role as a community landmark.^[1] The ride maintained a strong safety record throughout its operation, with no reported fatalities.^[17]

Closure

The Parachute Jump ceased operations on September 20, 1964, coinciding with the permanent closure of Steeplechase Park amid financial decline and decreasing attendance driven by urban challenges in Coney Island, including rising crime and competition from suburban entertainment options.^[18]^[19] The ride's final day featured a ceremonial shutdown attended by park owners, employees, and longtime visitors, signaling the end of an iconic attraction that had drawn millions since its relocation from the 1939 New York World's Fair.^[20] In the immediate aftermath, the mechanical components, including the parachutes, were dismantled and removed from the tower for safety and salvage purposes, leaving the steel tower standing but unattended on the site.^[3] As maintenance ceased, the tower rapidly deteriorated due to exposure to coastal elements, prompting New York City officials to issue violations in the late 1960s for rust accumulation and potential instability, though no immediate demolition occurred.^[21] The shutdown resulted in the loss of approximately 50 jobs for ride operators and park staff, exacerbating economic hardship in the local community.^[22] Public reaction to the closure was one of widespread lament, with local residents and amusement advocates mounting unsuccessful petitions and campaigns to preserve Steeplechase Park and its rides as symbols of Coney Island's golden age, but financial pressures and development interests prevailed.^[23] In the ensuing years, the abandoned tower became a target for vandalism, particularly in the 1970s, when graffiti and unauthorized climbing marred the structure amid the neighborhood's broader decline.^[24] This marked the immediate end of the Parachute Jump's operational era, contributing to the perception of Coney Island's amusement legacy fading into urban decay.^[17]

Post-Closure History

Site Acquisition and Preservation Efforts

Following the closure of Steeplechase Park in 1964, the site's ownership shifted dramatically, beginning with its sale to real estate developer Fred C. Trump in 1965 for over $2.5 million. Trump envisioned transforming the 12.5-acre property into an apartment complex, but the Parachute Jump's massive 170-ton steel structure proved too costly to demolish, leaving it standing amid partial operations by subleased concessionaires until 1968.^[25]^[1] In 1969, amid ongoing economic challenges in Coney Island, Trump sold the property to New York City, which assumed control through the Department of Parks and Recreation. The city initially viewed the Parachute Jump as a liability and attempted to sell it for scrap in 1971, soliciting bids that yielded no offers and prompting demolition plans. These efforts were halted by community opposition, including protests and advocacy from local groups such as the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce and the Gravesend Historical Society, which highlighted the structure's cultural value and pushed for its preservation over destruction.^[26]^[21]^[1] Preservation momentum grew in the late 1970s through grassroots campaigns aimed at preventing further commercial development, such as proposed condominiums that threatened the site's historic character. In 1980, Coney Island USA was founded by Dick Zigun and others as a nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding the area's amusement heritage, organizing petitions, fundraisers, and public events to rally support against demolition and for revitalization. These initiatives contributed to the structure's listing on the National Register of Historic Places that same year, marking a key step in early protection efforts.^[27]^[1] By the mid-1980s, as part of broader Coney Island revitalization under city oversight, basic stabilization measures were implemented, including the installation of fencing around the base to restrict access and initial rust removal to avert structural collapse. These actions, supported by ongoing advocacy from preservation groups, ensured the tower's survival during a period of neglect and urban decay.^[1]

Landmark Designation

The Parachute Jump was designated a New York City Landmark on May 23, 1989, by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission following a public hearing held on September 15, 1987, where supporters emphasized its historical value despite one opposition.^[2] The designation recognized the structure's special character, historical, and aesthetic value under the New York City Charter and Administrative Code, citing its engineering innovation as a 262-foot steel tower designed by Elwyn E. Seelye & Company for the 1939 New York World's Fair, its status as a cultural icon of Coney Island's amusement heritage, and its role in popular entertainment history after relocation to Steeplechase Park in 1941.^[2] On the federal level, the Parachute Jump was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, underscoring its rarity as one of the few surviving structures from the 1939 World's Fair and its contributions to amusement ride engineering and urban recreation.^[1] As a designated New York City Landmark and associated Landmark Site (encompassing Tax Map Block 7073, Lot 1, and the concrete platform), the Parachute Jump is subject to legal protections that restrict alterations to its exterior or structural integrity, requiring approval and oversight from the Landmarks Preservation Commission for any maintenance or modifications to preserve its historical features.^[2]

Restorations and Lighting Projects

In 2002, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation launched a comprehensive $5 million restoration project for the Parachute Jump to preserve it as a historic landmark. The effort involved disassembling the 262-foot steel tower into manageable sections, sandblasting to remove accumulated rust and layers of deteriorated paint, conducting structural assessments and repairs—including the replacement of corroded members, rivets, and other components—and repainting the entire structure to restore its original aesthetic. This work addressed long-term weathering and ensured the tower's integrity against environmental stresses, with completion achieved in July 2003.^[28]^[29]^[30] The restored tower received its initial modern illumination in 2006 through a design by lighting artist Leni Schwendinger of Light Projects Ltd., marking the first significant lighting initiative since its operational days. This installation incorporated hundreds of energy-efficient LED fixtures arranged to create dynamic, color-changing displays synchronized with holidays and seasonal events, effectively turning the structure into a glowing nighttime icon visible across Coney Island and beyond. The system emphasized artistic programming, with scenarios that highlighted the tower's hexagonal form and evoked its amusement park heritage.^[31]^[32]^[33] A subsequent $2 million upgrade project in 2013 further enhanced the structure's durability and visual impact, building on its landmark designation to secure city funding. This initiative included targeted structural reinforcements, such as repairs to platforms and the installation of new support cables, to mitigate wear from coastal exposure and storms like Hurricane Sandy. Concurrently, the lighting system was comprehensively overhauled to include 8,000 programmable LED bulbs, enabling intricate, music-synced light shows for public events and daily operations at nearby Luna Park. The upgraded illumination debuted in June 2013 and receives ongoing maintenance via municipal grants, ensuring reliable performance year-round.^[34]^[35]^[36]

Legacy and Impact

Engineering and Safety Innovations

The Parachute Jump represented a pioneering application of cable-guided parachute technology in large-scale public amusements, adapting military training concepts for civilian entertainment. Designed by retired U.S. Navy Commander James H. Strong, the ride featured twelve parachutes deployed from a 262-foot steel tower, each guided by vertical steel cables to ensure stable descent and prevent lateral drift. This system, including auxiliary stabilizing cables, was protected by Strong's 1936 U.S. patent for a parachute training tower, which emphasized controlled drops using guide wires and metal spreaders to maintain canopy shape.^[16] The innovation built on earlier designs like the Pair-O-Chutes at Riverview Park in Chicago, which opened in 1937 and influenced the Parachute Jump's development for the 1939 World's Fair.^[2] Safety features integrated into the design significantly mitigated risks associated with free-fall simulations. Riders were secured in double harness seats accommodating two passengers, with padded construction to minimize jolts during ascent and descent. At the base, shock absorbers consisting of pole-mounted springs cushioned landings, eliminating hard impacts and contributing to the ride's exemplary safety record over nearly three decades of operation, during which no fatalities or serious injuries were reported.^[3] Minor incidents at the 1939 World's Fair led to the addition of a twelfth parachute during its operation there, along with enhanced cable inspections, establishing early precedents for routine structural evaluations in amusement engineering.^[2] The ride's engineering legacy extended to structural advancements in tall amusement attractions. Its 170-ton, six-sided steel space-frame tower, with flared concrete base and diagonal bracing, demonstrated robust load-bearing capacity suitable for coastal environments, influencing the open-lattice designs of later vertical thrill rides and even select steel coaster supports. Civil engineering analyses, including post-closure studies, have referenced the tower's configuration for its resistance to lateral forces from prevailing winds, underscoring its role as a benchmark for wind-resistant frameworks in recreational structures.^[2] Despite these strengths, the Parachute Jump exposed limitations in early fabric parachute materials, which required frequent maintenance due to exposure to salt air and UV degradation. Initially using multi-colored silk or cotton canopies, the ride transitioned to plainer white versions by the mid-1940s, but ongoing wear highlighted vulnerabilities like tearing and reduced porosity over time. These challenges accelerated industry-wide adoption of synthetic alternatives, such as nylon, in the late 1940s and 1950s, offering superior durability and weather resistance for parachute-based amusements and military applications alike.^[37]

Cultural Significance

The Parachute Jump has appeared in several films as an iconic backdrop to Coney Island's landscape, notably in the 1979 cult classic The Warriors, where its silhouette is visible during the film's climactic scenes on the boardwalk, symbolizing the neighborhood's gritty allure.^[38] In music, Woody Guthrie referenced the ride in his 1940s song "Ninety Mile Wind," evoking Coney Island's vibrant energy with the line "I can see the Ferris Wheel and the parachute jump," capturing the era's working-class escapism.^[39] More contemporary artists have also paid homage, such as composer Michael Hearst in his 2019 track "Coney Island Parachute Jump," which musically recreates the thrill of the defunct ride as part of a broader tribute to unusual structures.^[40] As a enduring emblem of mid-20th-century American optimism, the Parachute Jump represents Coney Island's golden age of amusement parks, when massive attractions drew millions seeking affordable thrills amid post-Depression recovery.^[41] Its towering red frame has long served as a visual anchor in tourism promotions, featured prominently in New York City marketing materials since the 1990s to highlight the borough's historic boardwalk and draw visitors to Brooklyn's seaside heritage.^[42] The ride's cultural footprint extends to community preservation efforts, inspiring initiatives like the annual "Save Coney Island" events organized by local advocates to protect landmarks from urban development pressures.^[3] Photographed countless times by tourists and locals alike, it has appeared on vintage postcards and modern merchandise, from printed souvenirs to apparel, reinforcing its status as a nostalgic touchstone for generations of New Yorkers.^[43] In contemporary culture as of 2025, the Parachute Jump endures as a favored social media photography spot, particularly at dusk when its illuminated structure frames the Atlantic Ocean and boardwalk, attracting influencers and visitors who share images capturing Coney Island's blend of history and reinvention. As of 2025, the tower continues to be used for commemorative lighting, such as illumination in teal for Alzheimer's awareness on November 13, 2025.^[44]^[45] While occasional discussions about potential reactivation have surfaced in local forums, they have been consistently sidelined due to ongoing maintenance challenges and safety considerations tied to its age.^[3]

References

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[39]
Coney Island Parachute Jump - Michael Hearst - Spotify
Theme To Curious Constructions · 1:46 ; Finca Bellavista · 1:48 ; El Pulpo Mecanico · 1:13 ; Coney Island Parachute Jump · 3:06 ; Coral Castle (Edward Leedskalnin) · 2: ...
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The Parachute Jump: Coney Island's Timeless Icon | History
It debuted at the 1939 New York World's Fair in Flushing Meadows, Queens, as an innovative and daring attraction. Designed by James H. Strong, the ride was ...
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Parachute Jump | Your Guide to NYC Tourism
Standing 250 feet tall and weighing 170 tons, City landmark the Parachute Jump is an impossible-to-miss part of the Coney Island skyline.
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https://www.nyctourism.com/attractions-tours/parachute-jump-coney-island/
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Parachute Jump Coney Island (2025) - Airial Travel
A towering steel relic from the 1939 World's Fair, the Parachute Jump is an iconic Coney Island landmark offering historical charm and great photo ops.Missing: specifications | Show results with:specifications