Location

Coney Island, NY

Services

Conditions Assessment

Materials Analysis

Materials

Metal

Awards

2006 New York Landmarks Conservancy Lucy G. Moses Award

Coney Island’s iconic parachute jump ride was originally built for the 1939 New York World's Fair. In 1941, after the World's Fair, it was moved to its current location in the Steeplechase amusement park on Coney Island. It ceased operations in the 1960s following the park's closure, and the frame fell into disrepair. As part of the park’s restoration, JBC identified the original paint colors of specific elements and areas of the amusement ride. Extensive paint samples were removed from the steel tower structure from top to bottom. JBC prepared a report describing the findings of the paint color investigation and a chromochronology, or listing of the layers, was produced for each sample. The earliest finish layer identified for the steel tower elements was a vivid red color. Analysis of samples removed from the base of the tower found no evidence of original finish colors, helping to identify these elements as later replacements.

JBC was later contracted to perform a conditions assessment with repair recommendations for the tower base in preparation for the next phase in the preservation of this New York City Landmark.