Oral History Archive

John Strong
Sideshow Proprietor
Joe Rysz
Visited Coney Island from Massachusetts as a boy
Robert Maxwell
Roller coaster restorer and enthusiast
Stephanie Norr and Betty Cohn
Shared their 1950's childhood under the boardwalk
Walter "Shorty" Arsenault
Long-time manager of Astroland's Kiddieland
José Beth Smolensky
Juilliard trained musician whose family owned Washington Baths
Karen Thumann
On her three year photo project
Tommy Smith
Grew up in a Coney Island bungalow
Karen Levy Fogel
Family owned Levy's Bar and Grill
Joseph Svehlak
Fond memories of Coney Island
Marie Roberts
A painter with a Coney Island legacy
John Rea
Began his career as a sign painter in Coney Island
Michael Onorato
Son of Steeplechase Park's general manager, James Onorato
Sal Corona
Coney Island businessman
Jimmy McCullough
Lifelong carousel owner and operator
Wally Roberts
The King of Jones Walk
Vivian Palo
Loved growing up and raising children in Coney Island
Major Stacy Pandak
Helicopter pilot who landed on the Coney Island beach