The encyclopedia · Strategy & Leadership · Strategic decision · 1897–1964
Steeplechase ran 67 years at Coney Island — the family sold it for the land
Steeplechase Park opened in 1897 and outlasted every rival at Coney Island; on 20 September 1964 it held its last day, and a developer bought the site.
Steeplechase Park · 1964-09
What happened
George C. Tilyou opened Steeplechase Park at Coney Island in 1897, gathering the scattered amusements of the beach into one enclosed, family-friendly park — anchored by the grinning 'Funny Face' and contraptions like the Barrel of Fun and the Earthquake Stairway. It survived a devastating 1907 fire that caused $1.5 million in damage: Tilyou rebuilt in fireproof steel and concrete with a $2 million stock issue, reopening with the 2.8-acre Pavilion of Fun. By 1947 it welcomed its 20-millionth visitor.
After the war the ground shifted under it: crime and neighbourhood decline, the automobile and the suburbs, two World's Fairs stealing summer crowds, and management feuds among Tilyou's heirs. Still, on its best day in 1961 the gates recorded more than 18,000 customers.
It was not enough. Steeplechase — the longest-running of Coney Island's great parks — held its final day on 20 September 1964. On 1 July 1965 developer Fred Trump bought the property for $2.5 million and demolished the Pavilion of Fun in September 1966; the housing he promised was never built.
Why it happened
- Neighbourhood decline, crime and white flight eroded the beach crowds the park lived on.
- Cars and suburbs moved summer leisure away from Coney Island; the World's Fairs of 1939 and 1964 took what remained.
- The Tilyou heirs could not agree on a future, so the family chose the land value.
The lesson
Steeplechase survived a $1.5M fire and two World's Fairs, but not cars, crime and family discord: in 1964 Coney Island's oldest park was sold for its land and demolished.
Aftermath
Trump's apartments never happened; the city later bought the site for $4M, and Maimonides Park opened there in 2001. The Parachute Jump is the only original structure left.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Steeplechase Park (opened 1897 by George C. Tilyou; Funny Face mascot; fire of 29 July 1907 with $1.5M damage, rebuilt with $2M stock measure and the 2.8-acre Pavilion of Fun completed 1909; 20-millionth visitor 1947; best single day over 18,000 customers in 1961; decline from crime, white flight, fires, parking, cars and suburbs, the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs and management disputes among Tilyou heirs; final day 20 September 1964; Fred Trump purchased the property for $2.5M on 1 July 1965 and demolished the Pavilion of Fun September 1966; city acquired the land for $4M; Maimonides Park opened 2001; Parachute Jump the only original structure)
- Coney Island History Project — Photo of the Day: Steeplechase Closes Forever (final day 20 September 1964; closing ceremony attended by Marie Tilyou, daughter of founder George C. Tilyou; park operated 1897–1964; bells tolled once for every year of operation and thousands of lights switched off row after row as the park went dark for the last time)
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