In 1886, apple-farmer, James Parker sold 20 acres of land along the Ohio River. By June, the Ohio Gr

In 1886, apple-farmer, James Parker sold 20 acres of land along the Ohio River. By June, the Ohio Grove Corporation opened “Ohio Grove, The Coney Island of the West” to the public. Since its original opening, Coney Island has been through various changes over the years. Civil Rights activists including Cincinnati’s Marian Spencer fought to have Sunlite Pool desegregated in 1955. Riverbend Music Center was added in 1984 as an outdoor concert venue and by 2019 the amusement rides were being sold off to accommodate upgrades for Sunlite Pool. 

To see more historic images of Coney Island visit our Digital Library!