Times Union from Brooklyn, New York • 12

I MAY 15, 1923 THE BROOKLYN DAILY TIMES TUESDAY 12 BOARDWALK OFFICIALLY OPENS TODAY CONEY ISLAND WITH CARNIVAL, Gala Festival and Aerial Display Features of Great Demonstration Crowds Throng Famous Seaside Crowds and World's Playground Has Resort and the in Its History Governor Greatest Day "and Everything," There and Mayor, the Order of Elks Flung to Flag Given by the Breeze. Island's new $2.000,000 Coney opening 13 taking official of in a blaze place this afternoon scarcely glory, and Coney Island can yho have the teeming thousands the opening carnival. hold come to enjoy Island up to roads led to Coney and "All All 8 o'clock this afternoon, the aboard for the Boardwalk" was reverberated throughout cry and New York transit that every Brooklyn choked with station. Roadways were Island headed for Coney elevated line and automobiles and every trolley, subway was jammed to capacity with owed into the seashore crowds, who the morning, filling Island from early a9 of the World's Playground streets never before. all over the world are People from here.

itself, eighty feet The Boardwalk, a living and two miles throwing. mass revelers, who noisof are helping to open blowing, care-free ally and happily with a bang. the Boardwalk there is no end of prominent And occasion, for Govpeople to grace the hand E. Smith is on Hylan and Borernor Alfred with Mayor John F. to deliver of the day, toough President Riegelmann, the official speeches S.

gether with the gifted orator, pastor of Rev. the Parkes Cadman, D.D., With Central Congregational Church. Rev. the reviewing stand are them on Kerwin, rector of Our Walter A. Catholic Church at.

Coney the opening inof Solace who delivered vocation, and Rabbi Harry Halpern, who bestowed the closing benediction. With them also is an imposing assemblage of vice chairmen, committee and honorary officers. chairmen, Luncheon at the Shelburne. of the city and State, All officialdom and sccial life commerce, religion, at the luncheon, were which began represented at 1 o'clock at the Hotel Shelburne, on Ocean Parkway. Here mood for the fine food made merry ceremonies to follow.

minutes fly the streets And as the and more crowded till become more hardly hold back the police lines can formed to allow the the lines that are is to go by. Surf avenue parade packed with -natured jostling been Ambulance posts have crowds. establishd at streets intersecting, and an army of uniformed police are on everywhere. together with a of plain clothes men, who guard large squad sharp lookout for pickare keeping and kindred crooks, who are pockets to work where many gather. wont early summer turnIt is a typical out, the annual "straw hat day" cusatom lending a gay touch of color to contingent, which is, of the male conspicuous or atcourse, not half so is tractive as the gentler sex, which the "with bells on." All here in force styles are shown in ancient new Tut flimsy summer creasplandor, and tions are the order of the day.

Flag Raising. of the most charming features day's events was the flag raistwo thirty, following the paing at rade assembly. McCooey, daughter of Miss Agnes John H. McCooey, the Democratic raised the flag at the and "Old Glory," docounty leader, grandstand, as the Brooklyn Lodge of Elks, nated by to the breeze, all unfurled proudly uncovered, and the New heads were Band under the York Fire Department of George Briezel, blared direction stirring strains of "The Star forth the Spangled The Parade. the special carnival floats Besides and features, the parade formation, the grand marshal, General headed by Wingate, contains the George Albert: Infantry, Colonel Thomas Fair106th commanding: 101st Cavalry, service, James Howlett commanding: Fourteenth Infantry, Colonel commanding, and the 105th Baldwin Colonel Robert N.

Field Artillery, Marshall commanding. the official ceremonies. During aeroplanes from Mitchel twenty L. Major Jones commanding. Field, the grandstand and Boardare over At different signals the planes walk.

battle formation, stunt flyengage in machine gunnery in the air. ing and One of the scout planes is photographthe ceremonies and the Boardwalk ing will return Mitchel Field, and thousands of the photos will be where and carried back to the developed celebration point and dropped by the several hundred feet aviator flying above the crowds. The plane exhibischeduled to continue for ton in nearly one hour. Major W. R.

Weaver, commandant Mitchel Field, viewed the demof the enstration from the grandstand. Jus the Major air fleet. Lieut. Evers Abbey la photographing the ceremonies from air. The committee on the opening celePration of the new Boardwalk condats of the following: Chairman, George Albert Wingate; honorary chairmen, Alfred E.

Smith. John F. Hylan, and Edward Riegelhonorary vice chairmen. L. Craig.

Julius Miller, MaurConnolly, Murray A. Hulbert, Joha Official Program of Coney's Boardwalk Opening 1:00 P. in Hotel Guests. Distribution of Luncheon. 2:15 P.

of new Boardwalk. Presented through subscriptions Times. Flag raising. Colors donated by the Spangled Banner," by the ment Band, George Briegel, Parade General George Albert Wingate. 106th Infantry.

101st Cavalry. Col. 14th Infantry. Col. 105th Field Shelburne.

Committee and Souvenirs and Medallions at pole at entrance to steel flag the people of Coney Island by secured by the Coney Island Miss Adele McCooey officiating. Lodge of Elks. Star Brooklyn New York City Fire DepartConductor. Marshal Thomas Fairservis, Commanding James Howlett, Commanding Fred W. Baldwin, Commanding Robert N.

Marshall, Commanding Ceremonies Rev. Walter A. Kerwin Invocation of Solace, Coney Island. Rector, R. C.

Church, Our Lady Hon. John F. Hylan Address. Mayor, City of New York. Hon.

Edward Riegelmann President, Borough of Brooklyn. Parkes Cadman, D.D. Address. Central Congregational Church. Pastor, Hon.

Alfred E. Smith Governor, State of New York. Rabbi Harry Halpern Benediction Flatbush Communal Center. Air Events aviators from Mitchel Field, under Airplane maneuvers by command of Major Junius W. Jones.

Tonight's Program Parade of Eckford Club and 8:00 P. Riegelmann Night." other social and civic organizations. the Boardwalk. Music by Todd's P. on Band and the Dewey Band.

yards 12:00. P. Concerts at various points on 9:00 P. M. to Locations not designated by Committee Surf avenue.

time. Serpentine display and illumination up to press carnival on Surf avenue. father of the city are afforded an opdown with their to come portunity hot days to this wonderchildren on God intended all ful breathing space to enjoy. all who have played "I compliment realization of this 3 part in the I congratulate the mighty project. in having obtained people of the city all of those who have It and I thank worked to make the Boardwalk open, celebration a success.

ing Activity Again on West End of Boardwalk Taylor and Mr. ArMr. Oliver B. the well known downnold D. Ajello, Brooklyn boys have recently town the Gallivan Baths at West opened -third street and The BoardThirty walk and have incorporated same as Fulton Baths.

They have gone The considerable expense remodeling to the property and are and improving erecting stores on the Boardwalk and Beach Level and have in-1 front separate steam rooms 'stalled new the benefit of ladies and gentlefor men. Fulton Baths have always The catering to the betbeen known as and lave a regular clientele, ter class equipped to handle but they are now the capacity of last season. double specialty of accommodatmaking a family trade by the season. ing adopted the slogan "The They have Place of Comfort," and although they few blocks from the are located a Depot, it 16 well worth West End extra walk to obthe few minutes tain comfort--service and personal attention which will be directed by both Mr. Taylor and Mr.

Ajello. Hotel Beau Rivage Under New Management Mr. Ralph Sloane who was proSloane's Tavern at Ocean prietor of Parkway and Eighteenth avenue, until three years ago and Joseph Popper of Popper Morson, the popu- EDWARD RIEGELMANN President, Whose Fighting Spirit Borough Boardwalk to Successful ComBrought Whom It Is Named. pletion, and After HOW RIEGELMANN STUCK TO THE JOB To Build the Boardwalk Was al Man's Task But BorFighting ough President is a Fighter. HAD TO CHOP BARRIERS Stages of Progress Slow Early and Many Property Holders Feared for Results.

Borough President Riegelmann's building of the Coney part in the Boardwalk, which led to 10- Island demonstration marshalled day's great -General George Albert by of a city offiWingate, is the story remarkable vision and cial with a fight, for Edward Riegthe ability to elman is a fighting man. only built the BoardHe has not also constructed two walk but he has of beach that gives to the city miles $2,000,444 worth of land, equivalent in value to the cost of the Riegelmann walk. In the beginning. 3 few property feared that the Boardwalk owners their business and offered would ruin progress, even every obstacles to its the extent of erecting fences as to which it was necesary for barriers, to chop down the borough president before work could get unwith axes der way. Makes Coney a Winter Resort.

with pride to his great Pointing Mr. Riegelmann today achievement, said: of the beautiful opening Island Boardwalk marks the Coney of a new era for the beginning world's greatest playground. "It is fitting, indeed, that the peoborough should mark this ple of the with a celebration, for Coney event the threshold of Island today is on glorious than its illusa future more tdious past. Boardwalk makes Coney "This winter resort, as well Island a great as an unequalled summer playground. Coney Island will "From now on, beckon to those who have visited Coney Island for its spectacular features and looked pleasurethe joys that come with elsewhere for boardwalk promenading.

Open to the People. important than the But far more of this magnificent walk 19 building the fact that we have thrown open people two miles of oceanto the front from which they had been barred from for many rears. Never will they face "keep signs again when seeking to enjoy an exhilaratbattle with waves that come ing along the beautiful, broad rolling beach which has been built. "This new beach and boardwalk avenues for the health and open new of our people. With the pleasure lines operating from the heart transit of Manhattan to this place for a fare, the poor mother and single lar wholesaler of Coney Island, who recently purchased the Hotel Beau Rivage at the foot of Emmons avenue, Sheepshead Bay, have completed extensive alterations and improvements and will open that hotel on Saturday, May 19.

Vincent Lopez's Pezian Dance Orchestra have been engaged for the season as well las Pierre Soucasse, the noted French Chef, formerly of the Hotel Knickerbocker. Manhattan. A novelty cafe grotto has been installed A novelty cafe grotto has been installed below the main dining room which is unique to say the least. As has been the custom in past seasons they are ready to cater to the exclusive family, trade and have installed a new chauffeur's room with all conveniences. The hotel will accomodate fifty guests, and the dinling room will seat 300 people.

They have allotted 1,500 sq. feet in the main dining room for dancing. The lighting effect is very beautiful. walls and hangings being covered with gold color silk material. The roof garden which overlooks the ocean and bay will be opened about June 15 and is unsurpassed on the Atlantic water front.

The new pier connects with the hotel and is able to dock a good sized launch. The many friends of Mr. Sloane land Popper wish them success in their new home. ROTARY CLUB Thomas C. Miller to Talk on "Fellowship." Rotarian Thomas C.

Miller, past vice- of the New York Club, and for twelve years a Rotary rotarian and delegate' to the EdinConvention, will address the burgh Brooklyn Rotary Club, at the lunchmeeting, Thursday, at the Hotel eon He will talk on "FellowBossert. Harry Kelly, song leader and ship." teller, will likewise entertain story golf tournament will be The first the Engineers' Club, at Rosheld at lyn, tomorrow. convention of the Rotary Club The fourteenth annual will be held at St. Louis, June 18-22. REVELERS, AS SEEN FROM STEEPLECHASE PIER, CONEY ISLAND'S BOARDWALK WITH HOLIDAY JAM OF MERRY Birth As a Shore Resort Coney's Took Place About 80 Years Ago Historical Facts Depict Stirring Interesting Early Days When Beer Flowed Events in the and Basket Parties Were the VogueFreely Has Grown Since First Railroad How Coney Coney for Two Guns and Indians Sold Three Pounds of Powder.

ALFRED E. SMITH of New York, Who Makes Chief Governor of the Opening Ceremonies nt Speech Today's Monster Boardwalk Demonstration. PHILIP P. FARLEY CHIEF ENGINEER Designer is Borough's Consulting Surveyor; Known as "the man Who Built the Walk." HE DESCRIBES HIS WORK Driving Piles Making New Beach-Handling SuppliesAll a Matter of Great Detail. It is difficult for a person strolling the finished boardwalk to visualong alize the vast amount of labor rein planning and building the quired magnificent structure and the new beach with extends 250 feet nearer to the Atlantic Ocean than did Coney's former beach.

of materials and the actual Delivery prosecution of the work presented a most difficult problem in constructing the reinforced-concrete walk and shore protection work. work was started early in As the of last year. it reached the the spring during the busiest part of the height season at the resort. Consequently, the beach along which the work was being done was swarmed with perhot days and delivery of masons on and the carrying on of the terials work was we'-night impossible. The Boardwalk.

The Coney Island Boardwalk. exthe foot of Ocean Parktends from entrance of Sea Gate on way to the street, the entire West Thirty city-owned beach, for length of the 9,500 The walk is a distance of 20 feet wider than the 80 feet wide, or of the Atlantic City boardwidest part floor. surface is 13 feet walk. The high tide, and can be above normal streets by doureached from adjacent each intersection. The ble ramps at of the walk was fixed to give height under the boardample clear space longitudinally and laterwalk, both ally.

itself is made up of a The walk of pile bents 20 feet apart. Each series composed of two girds of four bent is concrete piles. each gird reinforced reinforced concrete supporting a girders cantilever out girder. These the end piles of each gird, beyond thus having a longitudinal expansion down the middle of the structure, joint 14 inches square and The piles are and are spaced ten feet 20 feet long centre. Each pile has a penetraon sand of at least 20 feet tion in the when the sanfill is in place, The boardwalk itself is designed to carry a live load of 125 pounds per which is considered the square foot, maximum that can be imposed, even with the heaviest pedestrian traffic.

Cost $2,000,000. required for this walk The land was acquired as a public beach on and the value of the October 1, 1921, has not yet been deland so acquired The total cost of constructermined. and inspection is aption engineering $2,000,000. It is unquesproximately that the building of tionably conceded which is far superior. in this walk, detail to that of Atlantic City, every real estate values will greatly increase projects at Coney Island.

and business figures on the A few comparative Atlantic City and to Coney traffic to be of interest. Receiver Island may Garrison of the B. R. T. Lindley M.

the B. R. T. lines carried states that 19,800,000 passengers to the five Coney Island stations last season, as comthe 2,000,000 carried on the pared to Pennsylvania Railroad to Atlantic City. WOMAN KILLED IN LEAP Rose, Simkin, 65, an inmate Mrs.

of the hospital operated in conjuncthe Hebrew Home for the tion with at Howard and Dumont aveAged, leaped from a third story winnues, landing on her head dow yesterday, yard. She died In the concrete stantly. According to hospital authorities, old woman had been suffering the dementia, and had been in the from hospital three weeks. tion, and latterly 118 depot, torn down last year, all combined to make Coney Island a center of attraction to a vast multitude, In 1879 Mr. Wiliam A.

Engeman, one of the pioneers of Coney Island, opened a mile track upon land which he owned at the island. It was known as the Brighton Beach Fair Grounds. It contained a grand stand and other adjuncts considered necessary for sporting purposes. The meetings were continued all summer and It was considered quite popular among the sporting fraternity. Later er came the prosperous race track days.

It was not until the dawn of the Twentieth Century that the resort began to take on the aspect of 8. mighty amusement centre. Dreamland, destroyed a decade ago by fire; Luna Park and Steeplechase Park led the big shows. Dotting Surf avenue and the Bowery today are "side shows," scenic railways, restaurants, movie houses and other attraction. The old-time motion pitcure drinking places, with the "basket party welcome" signs and the front door barker announcing that the latest movies and the best lager beer were within, have passed out.

The frankfurter, early christened "hot dogs," appears to be an "institution" which will stay PHILIP P. FARLEY. Consulting Engineer, Borough of the of Brooklyn, "RiegelDesigner and Builder GENERAL GEORGE ALBERT WINGATE Marshal of the Parade Which Marks Grand the Inauguration of Remarkable Carnival in Connection With the Official Opening of the Boardwalk, Coney's Bigrest Attraction. Lynch. Committee chairmen- -Plan and scope, James J.

Byrne; decorations, T. I. Jones; parade, Newton; floats, Thomas Dunne; invited guests, William E. Kelly; banquet, Samuel W. Gumpert; public safety, William Frisbie: official journal, Edward C.

Tilyou; publicity, Arthur G. Dore; regatta, Otto B. Schmidt; luncheon, Frank J. Collins. Honorary Officers--William J.

Allgaier, Joseph Aspinall, Fred W. Bald-, Charles W. Berry, M.D.. Edward win, C. Blum, Charles A.

Boody, Allan Booth, John J. Bracken, P. I. BrenM.D., Albert T. Brophy, Rt.

Rev. nan, Frederick E. Burgess, Walter C. Burton, Rev. S.

Parkes Cadman, William Calder, William B. Carswell, T. A. Clark. Rabbi Simon R.

Cohen, Philip A. Curran, John J. Curtin, James Sherlock Davis, Joseph P. Day, Harry M. De Mott, Charles S.

Devoy, Norman S. Dike, Conrad H. Dikeman, Charles J. Dodd, Frank Doudera, John Dowd, J. Drennan.

Alexander S. Thomas Drescher, Charles J. pruhan, Charles Ebbets, Charles J. Edwards, WillH iam H. English, Richard E.

Enright, Leander B. Faber, Julian D. Fairchild, Thomas Edward J. Fanning, Philip P. Farley.

Charles Feltman. Frank Fogarty, Jesse J. Frost. Edwin L. Garvin.

Otto A. Gillig, J. Golden, Sydney Grant, WillJames iam M. Greves, Joseph A. Guider, M.

Gunnison, William F. Raymond Hagarty, Rabbi Harry Halpern. Walter Hammitt, Harry A. Hanbury, John N. Harman, Mark Hayes, James Howlett, R.

F. R. Huntsman, William S. Irish, Isaac M. Kapper, Rev.

Nicholas Keating, Frank Kelly, William E. Kelly, William J. Edward William F. Kenny, Rev. WalKenny, ter A.

Kerwin, John J. Kuhn, Edward David T. Leahy, Rabbi I. Lazansky, (H. Levinthal, Sylvan Levy, Harry E.

Lewis. Caspar Liota, Jacob I. LivEdwin P. Maynard, Robert W. ngston, Marshall, Rt.

Rev. T. F. Molloy, D.D., Daniel A. McCann, Mons.

Edward W. McCarty, John H. McCooey, Michael F. McGoldrick, Emmett Cormick, E. J.

McKeever, S. W. McJames A. McQuade, Daniel A. Keever, McVicker, Frank Monaghan, M.D., J.

Murphy, Banjamin H. Frank Vamm, P. I. Nash, M.D.. Herman Neaderland, Mons.

P. F. O'Hare, ward T. O'Loughlin, Lewis H. Pounds, James M.

John T. Rafferty, William H. Reynolds. George RobinJoseph Satori, James Shevlin, son, Arthur S. Somers, Meier' Steinbrink, Andrew T.

Sullivan (treasurer), H. Todd, William Ward, John lam N. Weber, Robert J. Wilkin, Richard Wulff, mann Walk." while Coney is a land of fun. and Hart, two New Coney Island was first visited by Messrs.

Eddy leased a portion of the Verazzano, in his discovery of this Yorkers, region, 1527-1529. It would seem ern part of Coney Island from DeLaet's, and also from Juet's about 80 years ago, and on it built a large that this was one of the places at over which an en- which they landed in 1609 and had circular platform erected, and the interviews with the savages. ormous tent was In 1643 Gravesend was settled by pavilion" at Coney Island point a Lady Moody and friends, but besprang into existence. fore the date several persons took up A dock, or was built just farms within what became afternorth of the westerly part of Coney wards the town boundaries and for Island and a number of which they held individual patents. bathing houses were erected on the southern In May, 1643, Antonie Jansen Van shore of the point.

Salee took a patent for land of which This was the the larger portion was at the excommencement of what has since become treme westerly portion of the town familiarly known as "Norton's Point. and the balance was a strip running With the building of other hotels southerly therefrom, which the Engthat followed, the day of develop- lish settlers also claimed. ment was drawing nigh, They had also undertaken to exand, when Daniel Morrell, the toll gatherer on tinguish the Indian title to the land the "Shell counted 300 granted the town by direct purchases cles of a warm July Sunday, driving from the natives. The earliest of to Coney Island many of the these, November 1, 1649, had been staid, good people of Gravesend that of Narrioch (the original Coney bewailed the existence of a place whose at- Island), from Sippehacke, sachem of caused such wholesale Sab- the Canarsies. tractions, bath breaking.

But the Nyack Indians also In October, 1847, Dr. Allen Clarke, claimed ownership of this, and Franseeing the desirability of Coney cis de Bruyne, who had succeeded Island as a summer resort bought a to the ownership of the Jansen Van piece of ground of Mr. Court Salee farm, insisted upon his right Van Sicklin and just north of the to the strip which lay between its old Coney Island house, the two portions. Hotel" was erected only to burn Anxious to fortify their claim to down after a season. The property this as well as to the Narrioch, the hands of Judge John which had come to look upon passed into they Vanderbilt, who built another--larger as their own, English settlers oband better hotel on the site of the tained from the Nyack Indians on "Oceanic" and it became a very fash- May 7, 1654, for two guns and three ionable resort.

But it too, burned pounds of powder, a conveyance of down. Coney Island and the disputed neck Another step in the development of of land which latter was inheritance Island was the building of a rail- of litigation to the town of Gravethe road from Coney Island across the send. creek over West Meadow Bank along Following the rule established in twelve morgen" through the the original divison of the Gravesend "the of Bath and New Utrecht settlement, thirty- shares or porvillages and along the new plank road to the tions there were in the first division, Fifth avenue entrance to four shares of which were for a "new" or Greenwood Cemetery. schoolhouse. After many trials the Brooklyn, The balance of the present island Bath Beach and Coney Island Rail- was from time to time divided among road, known as the "Dummy road." the Gravesend inhabitants, always in was opened.

Another impetus -nine shares, as we have to the seen of Coney Island, down the in 1677, Guisebert's Island 1761, building Island road, as Coney meadow at east end of Guisbert's old Coney and avenue was then Plumb Island 1766, Sedge Bank, Settlements of restaurants, lager Manhattan Beach, 1766, the middle beer saloons and bathing division of the island. Brighton establishments began to spring up with Beach and racetrack, the two lightest unactivity; at first in the 1m- divisions, were made in 1815 and wonted vicinity of the railroad 1821. mediate termini, and soon from that place By an agreement of its inhabitants laterally along shore until and free holdings of town meetings spreading in A few years assembled, Gravesend town had from the entire beach was thickly studded with these aspirants time to time leased Pine and Coney for public favor. be- Islands, in seven-year leases, preThese buildings were far from for the free holders the and pretentious as serving priviing as elaborate lege of fishing, fowling, the "pavilions" of today. porking, gunning, hunting, cutting off Far from it, for instance and carting off any sort of timber, the bathing houses were rude, unplaned to the following persons: 1102, boxes, having door with a hole in it for light a John Griggs; 1120, Richard Stillwell; and each furnished 1733, Captain John Cannon, Mariner, inside with a of hat and coat hooks, a rude couple of New York, 1189.

bench and a pail of The Islands were left in three diviwater for rinsing the feet after the sions to the highest bidders, Abrabath in the surf. But they were pioneers ham and John Emans, and John Van the to what become a vast business has since of the sum- Cleef. during the heated days continued anThis arrangement mer. nually, the lesees being Eamans Van The Prospect Park Cleef, Jones and Voorhies, until 1803, and Coney Islknown later as the and Railroad, when the town directed the road," of highways -to let for one took over Gravesend which was opened sioners avenue in 1815, season at public vendue to the highand graded at the expense est bidder all the undivided mowing of holders of property at meadows or commons in the town, each side of the thoroughtare. The company oper- the sand on Plumb Island and then ated its trains Island beaches to be let by conthrough that avenue There was a bitter Pine to Coney Island.

tract, the rights of Gravesend the company by the revolt against of avail. ple to sand being protected. property owners, but no not until forty years later of this railroad; its It was The building Island really began to hotels, lone known AS It was then that the frat "Cable's" that Coney its short terminus, the purchase was erected there, tent and develop. the re-erection on Coney Island spread over platform upon which of show place one of the observatories entertainments were siren, erected at the Philadelphia Centennial.