Neal Kavakos

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Neal recalls his father, John Kavakos, a "street urchin" from Greece who came to Coney Island and built the Tunnel of Love at the Bowery and 12th Street. The attraction consisted of a serene boat ride that took passengers past various elaborate scenes, including a replica of the Vatican. The ride was visited by various luminaries, including Clara Bowe, before it was destroyed by a fire in 1937. Neal also recounts other early Coney Island history and memories, including that, in 1890, his father bought the Delavan Hotel at Surf Avenue and 8th Street, that his uncle, Bill Vanech, had a concession in Steeplechase Park, and that at Child's Restaurant one could watch the cook toss pancakes in the window.