Coney Island in Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pat Auletta Steeplechase Pier
Coney Island
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 23, 2021
1. Pat Auletta Steeplechase Pier Marker
The Tilyou family opened Steeplechase Park in 1897, marking the beginning of Coney Island's reputation as the "Nation's Playground and the rise of modern amusement parks. Steeplechase Park got its name from it's central feature, an eight-lane mechanical horse ride on an undulating track.
In 1907 Steeplechase Park was gutted by fire and rebuilt to include this pier. After nearby Dreamland Pier was destroyed in 1911, the Iron Steamboat Company docked their paddleboats at Steeplechase Pier until 1941. The beach and pier were transferred to the Parks Department in 1938.
Steeplechase Pier collapsed in 1992 and was rebuilt in a new cross-shaped form. Popular for fishing and crabbing year-round, the pier was renamed for local resident, businessman, and park activist Pat Auletta.
Hurricane Sandy damaged the pier in 2012 and it was rebuilt to include shade canopies, a raised viewing platform, and benches clad in salvaged decking. The resilient pier, measuring over 1100 feet long, remains a premiere seaside attraction.
Erected by NYC Beaches.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.
Location. 40° 34.355′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, the Western Hemisphere, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Brooklyn Wall of Remembrance and Tribute Walk (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); High Water Mark (approx. 0.2 miles away); Air Race (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boat Ride (approx. Ό mile away); Tilt-A-Whirl (approx. Ό mile away); Fire Engines (approx. Ό mile away); Deno's Sweet Shoppe (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.
Also see . . . Steeplechase Park (Wikipedia).
"Steeplechase Park was a 15-acre (6.1 ha) amusement park in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City. Steeplechase Park was created by entrepreneur George C. Tilyou in 1897 and operated until 1964. It was the first of the three large amusement parks built on Coney Island, the other two being Luna Park (1903) and Dreamland (1904). Of the three, Steeplechase was the longest-lasting, running for 67 years."(Submitted on September 29, 2021.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, September 23, 2021
2. Pat Auletta Steeplechase Pier and Marker - wide view, looking south
Photographed by H. Finkelstein & Son, American Art Publishing Company, circa 1910
3. Steeplechase, Coney Island, N.Y.
Postcard reverse: "The Steeplechase is the most popular amusement device in the famous Steeplechase Park and is always crowded with visitors, eager to enjoy this exhilarating and thrilling ride."
Photographed by Chambers Pharmacy, Coney Island, N.Y.; Newvochrome ANC, circa 1908
4. Steeplechase Pier, Coney Island, Leaving for New York
circa 1920
5. The Boardwalk Looking East from Steeplechase Pier, Coney Island, N.Y.
The photo for this postcard view was taken only a few steps from the historical marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 3,190 times since then and 128 times this year. Last updated on June 22, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 29, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
