The Wonder Wheel Might not be Running, but a Thing of Beauty Still Prevails

By Ruben Natal-San Miguel  

 The Wonder Wheel in Coney Island, Brooklyn, NYC is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The whirling behemoth will almost certainly go the entire season without carrying passengers for the first time in 100 summers. All the rides in the park are shut down due to the COVID-19  pandemic. 

The Wonder Wheel holds a unique place in the history of the modern “pleasure wheel.” It was invented by Charles Hermann and built in 1920 by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company using 100% Bethlehem steel; it was forged right on Coney Island’s beaches. It was designed, built, operated and, ultimately, rescued by immigrants.

I tend to run around the entire NYC area during the spring, summer, and Fall. Coney Island has been the only oasis that I had ventured to where I had to stop to take pictures. Coney Island, already an iconic attraction, is now even more welcoming with its COVID-friendly feature. It’s a fresh air escape that has ample room for social distancing.