Oral History Archive

Filtering by 1970 - 1979 back to all

Mike Boodley

Award-winning roller coaster designer looks back on riding the Cyclone 1,001 consecutive times in 1975

Alfonso "Al" Smaldone

Jimmy and Tina's Famous Sausage Restaurant

Jeanette Bigelson

At age 103, Coney Island resident shares her memories and secrets to a long and happy life

Jeff Brooks

Tales of unusual dark rides, riots, the Tornado, and the Bowery

Roy Omori

Growing up Japanese American in Coney Island in the 1950s and '60s

Keith Suber

Community activist and reformed gang member

Charles Guariglia

Memories of working a bread route on Coney Island's Mermaid Avenue in the 1950's and '60s

Khonya Epstein

Author and leader of the Holocaust Survivors Group at Marks JCH of Bensonhurst

Frank Gurrera

Machinist at MTA's Coney Island Overhaul and Repair Shop and oldest active TWU Local 100 member

Anthony Wang

Resident of senior housing in Coney Island was born in Shanghai and survived the Cultural Revolution

Josephine Gargiulo Cassata

Daughter of Gargiulo's founder was born in an apartment above Coney Island's famous restaurant

Lorraine Ross

Resident of Coney Island for 47 years and retired transit cleaner at Stillwell Terminal

Ronald Stewart

Community activist and resident of Coney Island for more than 50 years

Lu Zhao

Calligrapher recounts his artistic journey from China's Guangdong Province to Brooklyn's Bensonhurst

Tim Law

Bilingual educator and founder of Chinese American Social Services Center in Bensonhurst

David Louie

David Louie's family owned the popular Wah Mee Restaurant on Mermaid Avenue

John Hunt

Model builder of roller coasters and amusement rides including the Cyclone and Deno's Wonder Wheel

Juanhua Zhao

Tai chi teacher at Coney Island's Seaside Innovative Senior Center shares her life story