Alison Garwood Jones

In 1927, in the final days of summer, New Yorkers flooded to The Cyclone, Coney Island’s newest ride engineered by inventor Harry C. Baker. 

“Let’s go for a wild ride,” they told their friends and family members.

A giant chain slowly pulled the three-car train up the wooden tracks. The cars rattled, herked, and jerked ladies’ pin curls and mens’ beer bellies before stopping at the zenith overlooking Luna Park and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

After a beat, it descended at speeds of 68 miles an hour, serving up nine more drops and six curves. The kids turned into a choir of white-knuckled screamers. Ladies’ hats littered the pavement below.

New Yorkers stepped off the ride windswept and unsteady on their feet. After enough time passed, they stopped at Nathan’s Famous Frankfurter &  Soft Drink Stand for a 5¢ hot dog and a free root beer.

Illustration: I drew this one with my favourite Uniball Roller Pen (black).