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Coney Island was America’s first amusement park and has bizarrely evolved, or devolved, into something that has been called a poor man’s paradise. Its antiquated, delapidated charm has been the backdrop for countless photographers throughout the century and for good reason. For a $2 subway fare any New Yorker can put his or her feet in the sand.

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A developer recently purchased the land where much of Coney’s heritage sits and is planning a $2 billion makeover of the area. While no one in their right mind could argue that Coney Island isn’t in need of improvement, the thought of a rogue corporate “revitalization” is at best somewhat nauseating. We plan on continuing to document the end of an era.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Mario Tama/Getty Images