With the grand opening of the new Luna Park in Coney Island this Saturday, May 29th, we thought it would be cool to post of some of the great photographs of the original Luna Park from our collections.
The original Luna Park opened up in Coney Island on May 16, 1903 (and closed in 1944). A New York Times article that covered the opening stated that 45,000 individuals showed up to the park’s first day:
- New York Times, May 17, 1903
Luna Park’s main entrance circa 1903:
- Luna Park, main entrance, ca. 1903. Eugene L. Armbruster Photograph & Scrapbook Collection. V1974.22.5.2. Photography Collection of the Brooklyn Historical Society.
Here is an image of the main entrance in the 1920s:
- Luna Park, main entrance, 1924. V1974.1.835. Eugene L. Armbruster Photograph & Scrapbook Collection, Photography Collection of the Brooklyn Historical Society.
Many of the park’s attractions seemed to have surrounded around performance. For a mere 5 cents visitors could witness something titled “The Fatal Wedding”:
Luna Park attraction 1904. Eugene L. Armbruster Photograph & Scrapbook Collection.
V1974.22.5.23. Photography Collection of the Brooklyn Historical Society.
There was also a daily fire, which visitors could gawk at:
- “Fighting the Flames,” 1904. Eugene L. Armbruster Scrapbook & Photograph Collection. V1974.22.5.40. Photography Collection of the Brooklyn Historical Society.
There were also rides at the old Luna:
- Circle Swing, Luna Park 1904. Eugene L. Armbruster Photography & Scrapbook Collection. V1974.22.5.26. Photography Collection of the Brooklyn Historical Society.”
- “Shooting the Chutes at Luna Park,” 1904. Eugene L. Armbruster Photography & Scrapbook Collection. V1974.22.5.36. Photography Collection of the Brooklyn Historical Society.