Steeplechase Mural by Bonnie Siracusa, Mermaid Avenue Post Office, Coney Island. Photo by AmusingtheZillion.com
When Coney Island’s amusement area had a U.S. Post Office on Surf Avenue in Steeplechase Park, visitors mailed hundreds of thousands of postcards from the World’s Playground. Steeplechase closed in 1964 but Coney Island’s post office on Mermaid Avenue at 28th Street is worth a trip. It’s a bit of a hike from the amusement area but the interior is decorated with murals of Steeplechase, the Funny Place by artist Bonnie Siracusa. The Human Roulette Wheel, Parachute Jump and Pavilion of Fun are among the subjects along with the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone.
Detail of Steeplechase Mural by Bonnie Siracusa, Mermaid Avenue Post Office, Coney Island. Photo by AmusingtheZillion.com
Related posts on ATZ…
August 6, 2012: Art of the Day: Madame Twisto by Marie Roberts
July 6, 2012: Photo of the Day: Art on the Move in Coney Island
June 21,2012: Photo Album: Mermaid Avenue Murals and Public Art
June 8, 2012: Art of the Day: Steve Powers New Signs for Coney Island
Amusing the Zillion 
Very nice; thanks for posting this
Wow … making sure to add the post office to my “to do” list the next time that I’m at Coney!
My grandfather Matteo Barbaro ran the Caterpillar at Steeplechse. Whenever I showed up with cousins or friends, we used to wait by the post office and look in the fence until he saw us. He’d motion to us to wait until he got everyone off the ride. Then he would go to the attendant, whisper in his ear and then we would be ushered through the gate. He’d give us a handful of partially punched tickets and we’d have fun all day.
It it nice to see more art in Coneiy Island.
It is here and bless this blog for consistently sharing it.
Wheeeee! Waiting on line at the post office transformed into a joy ride by Bonnie’s murals!
How very great to see this!!! Thank you posting. The PO will also be on our next trip to CI. Ahhhh… Steeplechase!!!!!!!! the smell of the ozone of the bumper cars….those round cardboard tickets with the punches,,,,how smart of those on the inside to save the partial cards for the wonderful family member to “use up”..no ride inspectors to “inspect” the steeplechase horse safety belts.. “the only way to ride safely is to hold onto your partner”!!!! whoooo!
jack
Thanks, everyone! Your comments are a reminder that Steeplechase the Funny Place lives forever in memory and imagination. To all who plan to go to the Mermaid Ave P.O. to see the murals, on the way there you’ll get to see quite a few street murals too: https://amusingthezillion.com/2012/06/21/photo-album-mermaid-avenue-murals-and-public-art/
What a very pleasant surprise to see that my mural at the Coney Island Station Post office is being enjoyed by the public. I highly recommend that you also stop by to see the Coney Island Post cards murals and the Ebbets Field Brooklyn Dodgers mural at the Ryder Station Post office at 2222 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. You can also view more of my art work at http://www.InnerMindsVision.com.
[…] Art of the Day: Steeplechase Funny Place by Bonnie Siracusa […]