Coney Island, A Day In The Sun

While walking to the boardwalk from surf ave on 19th street I believe I came to this really old and breathtakingly beautiful building on the boardwalk

CLICK to see an overhead view

Down at this end of the beach, you can get some elbow room

Upon further research I discovered it was called Childs Resturant and it was erected in 1923! The design was made out of Terra-Cotta and features a range of sea creatures including: lobsters, fish, crabs, seahorses, clam shells, octopi and what I'm sure is Neptune God of the Sea

This is the left side

Not to mention the right

A close up on the window, which sort of reminds me of an old pirate ship. The urn on top is also beautiful

The left side, notice the molding showing fish swimming towards a clamshell, and just below it is a snail shell

This Terra-Cotta plaque shows 2 fish each facing a Water spout, and encircled by a wreath of seaweed, crabs, and octopi

A spanish Galleon, if you look closely you can see an octopus design on the main sail

Fortunately this Beautiful piece of historical architecture was Deemed a New York City Landmark on February 23, 2003.

Care to see what was on the MENU?

Behold Neptune God of the sea complete with beardy face, Extra large fishstick fork, muscles, and seaweed wrap! You go boy, work that crown!

Multi-paned window, at the base Neptune's face is depicted, and at the very top a fish. Just below that, a clam shell

Boardwalk entrance with cemented over ground level window, but still looks impressive!

I walked farther down the boardwalk, In the distance you can see the pier.

Here is a shot of the side facing the entry ramp for the boardwalk.

Notice detail on the plaques along the side , how they still retain their color despite the exposure to the elements. Plus more shots of the exquisite detail on the scrollwork around the multi-paned window.

Here is the Famous/Infamous Parachute drop it was quite popular and has been around since coney island was the home of Steeplechase park, HERE is a picture of it in it's heyday.

The ride was something like this; you were strapped into a parachute, which is connected to a safety line and a guide line, you are lifted to the top by the safety line (where the cicular spots are at the top) then you are released into a free fall from the top until just above the base which is pictured below. Then you float down by parachute. Unfortunately the parachute didn't ope, and the safety line would sometimes snap.

After REPEATED accidental deaths it was closed down in the 70's.

The Fabled Parachute Drop

This is where you fell from

Hopefully you stopped in time

A rest stop, in case nature calls!

Yet another rest stop, yay no more peeing under the boardwalk!

One thing I have noticed is the abundance of restrooms and shelters, usually you either held it, or went native and set up shop under the Boardwalk. Too much sun, meant you either got toasted or also set up shop "Down Under", although up near Brighton Beach there were more shelters, but even less bathrooms!

Thank goodness things have changed, eh?

If the sun gets too hot for you or a surprise thunderstorm, cop a squat and take a load off at one of these open air pavillions(my phrase)

A closeup of the old Shore Theater

I liked the way the giant cloud looked suspended over the old Theater

I havent a clue as to the identity of this building, only that it is most certainly a holdover from times long gone by.

When walking past Nathans and heading towards the Boardwalk, there is a little garden that is rather new

There is a large circular path thet rings the garden and flows onto the Boardwalk and has marine life themed decorations, including, nautilus shells, horshoe crabs, and starfish

The Cyclone seen in all its Glory from the Q train while on my way home, plus the pretty cool shooting gallery I remember spending tons of time around, up untill i got hooked on the arcades

A distance shot of the Astro Tower, and the Wonder Wheel

This is how I got here




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