Page 32 (bottom): Manhattan Beach Hotel

Page 32 (bottom) of the Glimpses of the New Coney Island book: Manhattan Beach Hotel

Photograph of the Manhattan Beach Hotel from the beach and Boardwalk

"[August] Corbin's Manhattan Beach Hotel was built on the far eastern shore of Coney Island. Architect J. Pickering Putnam set its nearly 700 feet long front with its covered verandas and acres of manicured lawns facing the sea. It was considered the most elegant and fashionable hotel in the United States. It featured 258 lavish rooms, restaurants, ballroom and shops. When Ulysses S. Grant delivered the dedication speech for the hotel's grand opening on July 4, 1877 the event and the free fireworks show drew such huge crowds that it overwhelmed Corbin's railroad. And those who once thought that Corbin overpaid for the land changed their minds and pitied Littlejohn for selling so cheap."
(from: http://www.westland.net/coneyisland/articles/luxuryhotels.htm)

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