The Coney Island History Project pays tribute to Frieda Schwelke and Connie Scacciaferro, who recorded their stories for our oral history archive and who we lost in 2025. We also honor Louise Bonsignore, who was Coney Island royalty. Louise and her late husband John told their stories to Charles Denson for the book Wild Ride! A Coney Island Coaster Family published by the Coney Island History Project.
Inventors, performers, impresarios, and community leaders - these are among the many pioneers and visionaries whose creativity and ingenuity helped shape and define Coney Island over the past century. Each year, the Coney Island Hall of Fame pays tribute to a selected group of honorees. Their contributions are highlighted in an exhibit of colorful banners accompanied by illustrated text panels detailing their fascinating lives.
Hello David,
That would be the El Dorado Carousel, now located at Toshimaen Amusement Park in Tokyo. This magnificent machine was carved by Hugo Hasse of Leipzig Germany in 1902. In 1910 it was moved to Coney Island and installed in a building Surf Avenue at West Fifth Street. The carousel survived the 1911 Dreamland Fire, blistered but intact. George Tilyou brought the El Dorado to...
