Coney Island was chiefly a refreshing breathing place for New York’s teeming thousands.  The mere fact that it was within one hour's journey from New York by steamboat or by the horse-cars from Brooklyn, rendered Coney Island unfashionable for the well-to-do, since its advantages were attainable by all.  An 1880 magazine dubbed the area, “a perennial Centennial;”  another said, “It is the most bewilderingly up-to-date place of amusement in the world."   [CLICK for full article]