Coney carousel added to the National Register of Historic Places

March 10, 2016 Jaime DeJesus
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Ride on.

Coney Island’s famous B&B Carousell, a fixture of the waterfront neighborhood for 84 years, is the latest addition to the National Register of Historic Places.

As a result, the historic ride — which used to sit on Surf Avenue and now is housed adjacent to the Parachute Jump near the Boardwalk — will qualify for expanded opportunities for federal historic tax credits and other resources to support its future.

“B&B Carousell has proven to be a staple of Coney Island since the 1930s and shaped much of the history of the amusement park. I pushed for this designation because B&B Carousell has stood the test of time and deserves the distinction of being listed on the register,” said Senator Kristen Gillibrand on Tuesday, February 8. “This designation is another national highlight of New York’s rich history; and will help ensure that B&B Carousell remains a treasured site for future generations to enjoy and experience.”

The senator wrote to the National Register of Historic Places this past January, and explained that despite its current location being described as new, B&B resides on the site of Coney Island’s first amusement park, Steeplechase Park. It is currently the only operating carousel in the area.

“This much-deserved distinction will ensure that this treasured site can be eligible for critical preservation so it can remain a staple of the region’s tourism economy for many years to come,” Gillibrand wrote in the letter.

B&B Carousell was built in 1906 and spent time in several locations, including New Jersey, before making Coney Island its permanent home in 1932. It was stored in the Brooklyn Army Terminal before it was shipped to Ohio for repair and restoration in 2008. In 2013, the neighborhood’s only carousel returned and was reopened to the public.

“Coney Island is ‘The People’s Playground,’ and it earned that nickname due in large part to the B&B Carousell. Countless New Yorkers have visited and been thrilled by the B&B Carousell for over 80 years, and I am so glad that it is rightfully receiving this historic designation,” added Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “Thank you to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for her efforts, and congratulations to every fan of the carousel – this is a win for Coney Island, Brooklyn and all of New York City.”

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/file photo
BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/file photo
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