Sam Berkley was born and raised in West Brighton and is a fourth generation Coney Island native. A writer, oral history interviewer and musician, he got his start in Coney Island in 1998, working for Wally Roberts on Jones Walk as a carnival barker. This spawned a lifelong interest in the history of the amusement parks and he recorded oral history interviews for the Coney Island History Project from 2005-2007. Sam is a published author who has written about his family’s roots, gender identity and experiences growing up across the street from the Cyclone in Coney Island.
Interviews
Longtime residents of Coney Island
Relatives Joan and Julie Curran reminisce about the glory days of Coney Island and comment on the Island's historical charm and legacy.
Co-founder of the Brooklyn newspaper The Phoenix remembers living in Coney Island in the 1960s
Dnynia Armstrong, co-founder of the Phoenix newspaper in Brooklyn, recalls living in a Coney Island cottage during the 1960's. She speaks of gossipy neighbors, eccentric beach people and the condemnation of Coney Island buildings during the...