Sparks in Washoe County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Coney Island

Photographed By Alvis Hendley, October 20, 2016

1. Coney Island Marker

Inscription. Opened to the public on June 20 1909, Coney Island was among the most elaborate amusement parks of its day. Otto G. Benschuetz, founder and owner, landscaped the grounds, put in a children's playground, a bandstand for outdoor concerts and a dance pavilion which also served as a skating rink and theatre. Coney Island also had an artificial lake complete with boats, covered landings and bath houses. The park's heyday passed with Benschuetz's death in 1912. An aircraft assembly plant occupied the site in the early 'twenties' and an auto court was established here later. The pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1927 and a second blaze in 1930 took other structures. All remaining buildings were torn down when Interstate 80 was constructed in the 1960's.

Erected by Nevada Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology, Washoe County Historical Society and the City of Sparks. (Marker Number 240.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is June 20, 1909.

Location. 39° 32.103′ N, 119° 46.835′ W. Marker is in Sparks, Nevada, in Washoe County. Marker is at the intersection of Galetti Way and East 4th Street, on the right when traveling north on Galetti Way. Touch for map

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. Marker is in this post office area: Reno NV 89512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sparks (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Fight of the Century (approx. 0.9 miles away); Beckworth Trail - Over a Sage Plain (approx. one mile away); The Bank of Sparks (approx. 1.3 miles away); Glendale School (1864-1958) (approx. 1.4 miles away); James C. Lillard Railroad Park History (approx. 1.4 miles away); Chinese in Nevada (approx. 1.4 miles away); Southern Pacific Railroad Yards (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sparks.

Also see . . . Wieland’s Park's Coney Island. The resort’s founder and proprietor, Otto Benschuetz, was a German immigrant and much-beloved Reno resident who managed the local agency of the San Francisco-based John Wieland Brewing Company. When he purchased the property in May 1905, local papers speculated that a new Wieland brewing plant would be constructed on the site. Instead, Benschuetz opened a resort. (Submitted on May 14, 2020.)

Photographed By Alvis Hendley, October 20, 2016

2. Coney Island Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 14, 2020, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 14, 2020, by Alvis Hendley of San Francisco, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.