Inside Dreamland
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The park sits quiet in the early morning as the first visitors are beginning to trickle in from Surf Avenue. A rocket ride can be seen in the foreground, while the Atlantic stretches into the distance. |
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The miniature railroad in Dreamland was built by Cagney Brothers Miniature Railway Company. According to Richard Snow's book Coney Island: A Postcard Journey to the City of Fire, they were powerful enough to pull ten tons at ten m.p.h. Dreamland kept with the traditional 4-4-0 steam engines, while Luna got new electric engines, certainly a park ahead of its time. (Photo Courtesy Library of Congress) |
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Located at the end of Dreamland's pier, the Ballroom was a beautiful sight for all visitors. It offered one of the most beautiful views of the ocean by day and during nighttime thousands of lights enchanted couples as they sauntered across the floor. (Photo Courtesy Library of Congress) |
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While the postcard says Steeplechase, this is clearly Dreamland, or just outside of it. It is difficult to ascertain whether this is taken from the edge of the park and the Ferris wheel was an independent concession or if it was part of the park. |
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It is nearing lunchtime and crowds of gentlemen and fine Victorian woman dressed in their best grab a bite to eat at the base of the Dreamland Tower. How marvelous it must have been, the ocean breezes blowing, the joyous screams of nearby patrons enjoying themselves on the Shoot-the-Chutes, a cornucopia of noise and sights. Of course, all of it was done in a dignified way, as was the norm in Dreamland. (Photo Courtesy Library of Congress) |
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The Japanese Teahouse had traditionally dressed workers who waited on the many visitors to the park. The sign that reads "AIRSHIP" is a gate to Santos Dumant's airship, a ride that gave patrons an amazing view of Coney, the ocean and even Manhattan. (Photo Courtesy Library of Congress) |
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Fighting Flames was one of the rides that most directly copied from Luna Park, where it was called Fire and Flames. The same idea prevailed here: tenements were set and the fire department of New York came to rescue the trapped victims, some of whom had to jump down into nets to escape the blaze. This was one of the attractions with which New Yorkers identified most, since many lived in badly-kept and run down dwellings where fire was always a concern. Note the splash pool for the Chutes to the left. (Photo Courtesy the Library of Congress) |
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Bostock's Circus was an exercise in excess. Park manager Sam Gumpertz was instrumental in bringing the show to Dreamland to rival Luna's circus. One of the most famous acts here was Captain Bonavita's Lion Show, where the Captain dealt with over twenty lions at once. One famous picture of Bonavita shows his tiny face peeking out from a crowd of his lions, all standing close to him- some less than a foot away. Note the two elephants on top of the building and the live ones in front of it. (Photo Courtesy the Library of Congress) |
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The back of Dreamland. Left to right we have: the pool of the chutes, the Iron Tower (out of the park), Touring the Alps, the Japanese Tea Room and the beach (out of picture). |
