Preservation
By the 1960s, attendance at Coney Island had declined. By 1968, the Cyclone was deteriorating and it was shut down in 1969.
In 1971, the Cyclone was bought by the city of New York for one million dollars. Lack of riders hurt profits, and the ride was condemned. In 1972, it was nearly destroyed because the New York Aquarium (which is located adjacent to the ride) wanted to expand. A "Save the Cyclone" campaign ensued, and it was leased to the Astroland amusement park for $57,000 per year. Astroland's owners had it refurbished, and it reopened on July 3, 1975.
In 1978, it was featured in the film version of The Wiz as the home of its version of the Tinman, and its size compared to the rest of Oz raised to enormous proportions. In the 1980s, events like the Mermaid Parade and Sideshows by the Seashore brought visitors back to Coney Island and the Cyclone. Despite the closing of Astroland Park on September 7, 2008, the Cyclone will remain in operation due to its status as a New York City landmark. The ride (75 feet along 834 Surf Avenue and 500 feet (150 m) along West 10th Street, 40°34′30″N 73°58′39″W / 40.575°N 73.9775°W / 40.575; -73.9775) is now owned completely by the Parks Department. The former concession stands, built into the structure of the roller coaster, are now home to the Coney Island History Project, and a stand selling Cyclone based shirts, hats, and on-ride photos.
The Cyclone was declared a city landmark in 1988 and a National Historic Landmark in 1991.
Read more about this topic: Coney Island Cyclone
Famous quotes containing the word preservation:
“The reason why men enter into society, is the preservation of their property; and the end why they choose and authorize a legislative, is, that there may be laws made, and rules set, as guards and fences to the properties of all the members of the society: to limit the power, and moderate the dominion, of every part and member of the society.”
—John Locke (1632–1704)
“There is something to be said for jealousy, because it only designs the preservation of some good which we either have or think we have a right to. But envy is a raging madness that cannot bear the wealth or fortune of others.”
—François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)
“Is not our role to stand for the one thing which means our own salvation here but with which it will also be possible to save the world, and with which Europe will be able to save itself, namely the preservation of the white man and his state?”
—Hendrik Verwoerd (1901–1966)