Tilyou was impressed by George Ferris's 250-foot Ferris wheel at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and tried to buy it. Unfortunately for Tilyou, the wheel had already been sold to St. Louis for their 1904 fair. Undaunted, he bought a 125-foot wheel and erected a sign at Coney that read, "On this site will be erected the world's largest Ferris Wheel." The wheel ran at Steeplechase for the entire time the park operated, finally giving its last rides during the 1964 season. Mary Tilyou kept the ride at the park in George's memory.

The Moon Rocket was on the boardwalk until it was moved to the front of the Pavilion of Fun for the 1962 season.  Speed was the name of the game and the Moon Rocket whipped riders around.  The attraction was the fore-runner of the Himalaya and Music Express rides found in parks across the country today.

The tracks of the Steeplechase Ride can be seen on the far left along with flags flying from the top of the Pavilion of Fun. The ferris wheel and Revolving Air Tower are next to that, while the Giant See-Saw fills the right side. The ride was brought by Thompson and Dundy (the duo that would later build Luna Park) when they opened their Trip to the Moon cyclorama at Steeplechase. According to Edo McCullough, Tilyou's nephew, the ride was owned by Fred Thompson and Elmer Dundy. He said that the Dundy aimed a coin at a crack in the floor and it stopped nearby. Tilyou tossed the coin squarely on the crack and won the Giant See-Saw. It operated by having four cars on each of the two small wheels. One arm would spin high in the air while the other loaded and then the arm switched positions. The operating costs quickly outgrew the limited profit (only a small number of people could ride per-hour) and Tilyou closed the ride. He then dressed it in a large number of incandescent lights which read, "STEEPLECHASE."

A later view of the pool. You can see that the Giant See-Saw has been removed for the Zips roller coaster. It was built and designed by John Miller and Bill McKee (who would supervise the construction of the Coney Island Cyclone). The ride was a gentle one that the entire family could enjoy.

This postcard has always been a favorite of mine. It seems to capture the borderline sexuality that Steeplechase was known for. This was taken at the Steeplechase pool, with the Pavilion of Fun in the background. Maybe one of them was your grandmother?

The Chimes Tower which stood, according to the postcard, in "Geo. C. Tilyou's Beautiful Steeplechase Park" was a focal point for the park.  The bells could be heard throughout the park on the hour.

The Dew Drop was nothing more than a slide for adults.  Guests climbed the staircase to the right and sped down the polished slide until they popped out at the bottom.

Bathers often flocked to Steeplechase as they owned some of the most beach front on the island.  From left to right we see the See-Saw, the smokestack, the Pool and the Ferris Wheel.