Luna Park, Coney Island
Encyclopedia
Luna Park was an amusement park
at Coney Island
, Brooklyn
, New York City
from 1903 to 1944. A second Luna Park was opened on the former site of the nearby Astroland
amusement park. The second incarnation of Luna Park opened on May 29, 2010.
The park's creators, Frederic Thompson and Elmer "Skip" Dundy, created a wildly successful ride called "A Trip To The Moon", a part of the Pan-American Exposition
in 1901 at Buffalo
, New York
. The name of the winged spacecraft (which was not a rocket, but flapped its wings) was Luna, the Latin word for the moon. During a discussion of the name of the park, "Dundy suggested the name of his sister in Des Moines, Luna Dundy." (Pilat & Ranson, p. 146).
At the invitation of Steeplechase owner Harry George Tilyou, Thompson and Dundy moved their show to Steeplechase Park
, a Coney Island
amusement park, for the 1902 season. At the end of that season, the partners obtained a long-term lease for the site of an older amusement park, Sea Lion Park, and rebuilt it as Luna Park, the second major amusement park in Coney Island. Although they claimed the park was named after one of their female relatives, it was probably named for the ship. The architecture was quite fanciful, with thousands of electric lamps on the outside of the buildings at a time when electrification was still a novelty.
Among the amusements were domesticated elephants. The rogue Topsy the Elephant
was killed when she was electrocuted with alternating current
by Thomas Edison
. The execution film was used by Edison to trumpet his campaign against alternating current
.
Witching Waves
was one of the most popular rides at Luna Park, invented by Theophilus Van Kannel
, who also invented the revolving door
. The ride consisted of a large oval course with a flexible metal floor. There were hidden reciprocating levers that produced a wave-like motion. The floor itself did not move but the moving wave propelled two seated small scooter-style cars with two seats, which could be steered by the riders. In 1910, it was moved and installed on the Bowery
in Manhattan
.
in 1905 to promote the park, among others:http://www.archive.org/download/HaydnQuartetwithBillyMurray/HaydnQuartetwithBillyMurray-MeetMeDownatLunaLena.mp3
The new Luna Park opened May 29, 2010. Its entrance is patterned after the entrance to the original 1903 Luna Park and was built on the ground of the former Astroland
amusement park which closed after the 2008 season. The new park is the home of nineteen new attractions and games. It is the only area in Coney Island in which the use of cash to pay for amusements and rides is not allowed; visitors must buy Luna Cards and spend Luna Credits.
), a company based in Vicenza
, Italy
.
", the grinning face that adorned the outside of the Palace Amusements
in Asbury Park, New Jersey
, which is a nod to legendary Steeplechase Park owner Harry George Tilyou.
opened a Luna Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
in 1905, and another in Cleveland, Ohio
that same year. By 1915 there were Ingersoll Luna Parks all over the world.
Two amusement parks named Luna Park which are still operating are located in Australia, at Melbourne (1912) and Sydney (1935). These parks copied some of the features as well as the name of the original.
The term Luna Park in Italy is used as a generic name for amusement parks, both traveling or stable. The amusement park at the Esposizione Universale Roma
neighborhood in Rome is named Luna Park Permanente di Roma (LunEur).
Regardless of their official names, every amusement park in Turkey
is called lunapark.
In Israel
, Luna Park is used as a generic term for amusement parks.
`Lunapark' was the named used by the '90s' musical supergroup 'Luna
'.
One of the most renowned sporting, concert and show business venues in Buenos Aires
, Argentina is called "Luna Park", right next to the Puerto Madero neighborhood.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
at Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
, Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
from 1903 to 1944. A second Luna Park was opened on the former site of the nearby Astroland
Astroland
Astroland was a amusement park in Coney Island first opened in 1962. It was located at 1000 Surf Avenue on the boardwalk...
amusement park. The second incarnation of Luna Park opened on May 29, 2010.
History
Pan-American Exposition
The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York, United States, from May 1 through November 2, 1901. The fair occupied of land on the western edge of what is present day Delaware Park, extending from Delaware Ave. to Elmwood Ave and northward to Great Arrow...
in 1901 at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The name of the winged spacecraft (which was not a rocket, but flapped its wings) was Luna, the Latin word for the moon. During a discussion of the name of the park, "Dundy suggested the name of his sister in Des Moines, Luna Dundy
At the invitation of Steeplechase owner Harry George Tilyou, Thompson and Dundy moved their show to Steeplechase Park
Steeplechase Park
Steeplechase Park was an amusement park in the Coney Island area of Brooklyn, New York from 1897 to 1964. It was one of the leading attractions of its day and one of the most influential amusement parks of all time.-Beginnings:...
, a Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
amusement park, for the 1902 season. At the end of that season, the partners obtained a long-term lease for the site of an older amusement park, Sea Lion Park, and rebuilt it as Luna Park, the second major amusement park in Coney Island. Although they claimed the park was named after one of their female relatives, it was probably named for the ship. The architecture was quite fanciful, with thousands of electric lamps on the outside of the buildings at a time when electrification was still a novelty.
Topsy the Elephant
Topsy , was a circus elephant killed by electrocution on January 4, 1903.-Life:Topsy belonged to the Forepaugh Circus and spent the last years of her life at Coney Island's Luna Park...
was killed when she was electrocuted with alternating current
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
by Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In addition, he created the world’s first industrial...
. The execution film was used by Edison to trumpet his campaign against alternating current
War of Currents
In the "War of Currents" era in the late 1880s, George Westinghouse and Thomas Edison became adversaries due to Edison's promotion of direct current for electric power distribution over alternating current advocated by several European companies and Westinghouse Electric based out of Pittsburgh,...
.
Witching Waves
Witching Waves
Witching Waves is an amusement ride.It was first introduced at Luna Park on Coney Island, New York, USA, in 1907.It was one of the most popular rides at Luna Park, invented by Theophilus Van Kannel, who also invented the revolving door....
was one of the most popular rides at Luna Park, invented by Theophilus Van Kannel
Theophilus Van Kannel
Theophilus Van Kannel was an American inventor, famous for inventing the revolving door, patented on August 7, 1888. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA...
, who also invented the revolving door
Revolving door
A revolving door typically consists of three or four doors that hang on a center shaft and rotate around a vertical axis within a cylindrical enclosure. Revolving doors are energy efficient as they prevent drafts, thus preventing increases in the heating or cooling required for the building...
. The ride consisted of a large oval course with a flexible metal floor. There were hidden reciprocating levers that produced a wave-like motion. The floor itself did not move but the moving wave propelled two seated small scooter-style cars with two seats, which could be steered by the riders. In 1910, it was moved and installed on the Bowery
Bowery
Bowery may refer to:Streets:* The Bowery, a thoroughfare in Manhattan, New York City* Bowery Street is a street on Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y.In popular culture:* Bowery Amphitheatre, a building on the Bowery in New York City...
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
.
Song
The song "Meet Me Down At Luna Lena" was recorded by Billy MurrayBilly Murray (singer)
William Thomas "Billy" Murray was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early decades of the 20th century...
in 1905 to promote the park, among others:http://www.archive.org/download/HaydnQuartetwithBillyMurray/HaydnQuartetwithBillyMurray-MeetMeDownatLunaLena.mp3
- We'll take a trip up to the moon
- For that is the place for a lark
- So meet me down at Luna, Lena
- Down at Luna Park
Demise
A pair of fires in 1944 damaged Luna Park, destroying much of it. It was not rebuilt and did not open for the 1945 season. After a legal battle and a third fire in 1946, the land was used for other purposes.Resurrection of Luna Park
In 2005, the Coney Island Development Corporation released the "Coney Island Revitalization Plan", which laid out its plan to preserve and grow the historic amusement area; create a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood with new retail options and nearly 5,000 new units of housing, including 900 income-targeted units; and generate more than 25,000 construction jobs and 6,000 permanent jobs. In July 2009, the City passed the Coney Island Rezoning Plan, setting the stage for development in Coney Island's amusement district.The new Luna Park opened May 29, 2010. Its entrance is patterned after the entrance to the original 1903 Luna Park and was built on the ground of the former Astroland
Astroland
Astroland was a amusement park in Coney Island first opened in 1962. It was located at 1000 Surf Avenue on the boardwalk...
amusement park which closed after the 2008 season. The new park is the home of nineteen new attractions and games. It is the only area in Coney Island in which the use of cash to pay for amusements and rides is not allowed; visitors must buy Luna Cards and spend Luna Credits.
Attractions
Luna Park includes 19 attractions designed and manufactured by Antonio Zamperla, SpA (ZamperlaZamperla
Zamperla is a designing and manufacturing company in Vicenza, Italy. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The company also makes smaller coin operated rides commonly found inside shopping malls....
), a company based in Vicenza
Vicenza
Vicenza , a city in north-eastern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monte Berico, straddling the Bacchiglione...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Thrill Rides
- Air Race
- Brooklyn Flyer
- Eclipse
- Electro SpinDisk-OThe Disk'O is a type of flat ride manufactured by Zamperla of Italy. The ride is a larger version of a Rockin' Tug, also manufactured by Zamperla.-Versions:-Ride:...
- The Tickler
- Wild RiverLog flume (attraction)Log flumes originally referred to a special construct used to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. Today, however, the term is also used to refer to an amusement ride consisting of a water flume and artificial hollow logs or boats...
Family Rides
- Balloon Expedition
- Circus Coaster
- Coney Island Hang Glider
- Coney Island Sound
- Coney Tower
- Lynn's Trapeze
- Surf's Up
Kiddie Rides
- Beach Shack
- Big Top Express
- Happy Swing
- Mermaid Parade
- Speed Boat
- Tea PartyTeacupsTeacups is an amusement ride characterized by cup-style spinning vehicles atop a turntable-like floor.-Operation:Typically, each set of four teacup vehicles has a circular floor or a motor capable of turning 360 degrees. The circular floor or motor sits within a larger, turntable-like floor...
Scream Zone
For the 2011 season, an addition called Scream Zone opened that features four new rides. While part of Luna Park, it is marketed as a separate destination. The Scream Zone logo bears a resemblance to "TillieTillie
Tillie is the nickname of two murals of a grinning figure that were painted on the side of the Palace Amusements building in Asbury Park, New Jersey, United States. Tillie is an amusement park "fun face," painted over the winter of 1955-1956. The name Tillie is likely a nod to George C. Tilyou,...
", the grinning face that adorned the outside of the Palace Amusements
Palace Amusements
Palace Amusements was an historical indoor amusement park in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA. Started Monday, Feb. 20, 1888, Ernest S. Schnitzler was soon placing advertisements in the city directory describing his pleasure palace as a place of "refined amusement for Ladies, Gents, and Children....
in Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States, located on the Jersey Shore and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 16,116. The city is known for its rich musical history, including its association with...
, which is a nod to legendary Steeplechase Park owner Harry George Tilyou.
Rides
- SlingshotReverse bungeeThe Reverse Bungee is a modern type of fairground ride that was invented by Troy Griffin in 1995...
- Steeplechase - A Zamperla launching motocoaster with trains resembling horses.
- Soaring Eagle - Zamperla flying coaster where riders lay on stomachs, cars go up a spiral lift hill.
- Zenobio
Other Luna Parks
Several other Luna Parks were developed after the one in Coney Island. Frederick IngersollFrederick Ingersoll
Frederick Ingersoll was an inventor, designer, and builder who created the world's first chain of amusement parks and whose manufacturing company built 277 roller coasters, fueling the popularity of trolley parks in the first third of the Twentieth Century...
opened a Luna Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
in 1905, and another in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
that same year. By 1915 there were Ingersoll Luna Parks all over the world.
Two amusement parks named Luna Park which are still operating are located in Australia, at Melbourne (1912) and Sydney (1935). These parks copied some of the features as well as the name of the original.
The term Luna Park in Italy is used as a generic name for amusement parks, both traveling or stable. The amusement park at the Esposizione Universale Roma
Esposizione Universale Roma
EUR is a residential and business district in Rome, Italy, located south of the city center. The area was originally chosen in 1930s as the site for the 1942 world's fair which Benito Mussolini planned to open to celebrate twenty years of Fascism. EUR was also designed to direct the expansion of...
neighborhood in Rome is named Luna Park Permanente di Roma (LunEur).
Regardless of their official names, every amusement park in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
is called lunapark.
In Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, Luna Park is used as a generic term for amusement parks.
`Lunapark' was the named used by the '90s' musical supergroup 'Luna
Luna (band)
Luna was a dream pop/indie pop band formed in 1991 by Dean Wareham after the breakup of Galaxie 500, with Stanley Demeski and Justin Harwood...
'.
One of the most renowned sporting, concert and show business venues in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina is called "Luna Park", right next to the Puerto Madero neighborhood.