Edward J. Riegelmann
Encyclopedia
Edward J. Riegelmann was an American
Democratic
politician
from Brooklyn
, Kings County, New York, best remembered for the Riegelmann Boardwalk
.
Riegelmann was one of five children born to Frederick and Margret Riegelmann (Swiss) on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The family moved to the Williamsberg ten years later. Riegelemann graduated from the Metropolis Law School, which has since merged with the New York University Law School. HE was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1898. He began practicing law with the Charles O. Grim and set out to make a mark in the field of Democratic Politics. In 1904 he was rewarded with leadership of the Democratic State Speakers Bureau in the Presidential Campaign, Elected Sheriff of Kings County 1915-1917 He was a delegate to Democratic National Convention
from New York, 1920 He ran for Borough president of Brooklyn, New York, 1918–1924; During his tenure as Borough President, Rieglemann won approval for construction of Brooklyn Municipal Building at Court and Joralemon Streets. Again Democratic National Committee
(alternate), in 1924 (alternate), 1940; Justice of New York Supreme Court
2nd District, 1925–1940, appointed by FDR.
He died on January 16, 1941.
was on its way to becoming the nation’s most popular pleasure ground. In 1824 the Coney Island House was established as a seaside resort
, and within a few decades it was attracting a steady stream of visitors, including celebrities. After the Civil War, new railroad lines provided direct public transportation to a rapidly expanding list of attractions: restaurants, hotels, bathing pavilions, shops, amusement rides, race tracks, theatres, and as always, the beach and the ocean. At the turn of the century, amusement parks—Sea Lion Park, Steeplechase Park, Luna Park, and Dreamland—offered rides, concessions and entertainment on a spectacular scale.
Once the BMT subway line reached the area in 1920, the pleasures of Coney Island were just a five-cent ride away from the steaming city. Attendance on a hot summer day could reach as high as a million, causing extreme congestion on the beach. Making matters worse, private concessions (such as beachfront hotels, bath houses, and cabarets) controlled large portions of the beach. As Brooklyn Borough President from 1918 to 1924, Edward Riegelmann (1869–1941) took charge of beautifying Coney Island and ensuring public access to the beach and shore. After the city secured title to property along the beachfront, the $3 million beach improvement and boardwalk construction began in 1921.
The immense engineering project required 1.7 million cubic yards (1700000 cubic yards (1,299,743.3 m³)) of sand to add another 2.5 million square feet (1700000 square feet (157,935.2 m²)) to the beach area. Construction of the boardwalk made use of 120,000 tons of stone, 7700 cubic yards (5,887.1 m³) of reinforced concrete, and 3.6 million feet of timber, including long leaf yellow pine for the flooring. From a height of 14 feet (4.3 m) above the beach, the 80 feet (24.4 m) boardwalk stretched from W. 37th Street to Ocean Parkway and provided easy access to both beach and concessions. "Coney Island's Fifth Avenue" opened with great fanfare on May 15, 1923.
Even during the Great Depression
, the promise of fun at Coney Island continued to draw millions of visitors. New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Moses
, however, wanted to replace the commercial amusements with better opportunities for "exercise and healthy outdoor recreation." Parks was awarded jurisdiction of the beach and boardwalk in 1938, and Coney Island was given a $3 million facelift. Between 1938 and 1941, Parks shifted and straightened out much of the boardwalk and extended it east to Brighton Beach. Also, the beach was greatly expanded and entirely resurfaced with a 2 foot (0.6096 m) layer of fine white sand. The boardwalk was named for Borough President Riegelmann. Since 1983 the boardwalk has hosted the annual Mermaid Parade, which welcomes the summer beach season with a wild procession of sea-people. In 1993 "The First Symphony of the Sea," a 300 feet (91.4 m) sculpture wall by artist Toshio Sasaki, was installed on the boardwalk outside the Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation. Riegelmann Boardwalk has been reconstructed numerous times since 1923, and many portions are now made of sturdy hardwoods such as Lophira alata
, Tabebuia serratifolia
, and Dipteryx odorata
. Along a distance of 2.7 miles (4.3 km), from W. 37th Street to Corbin Place, there are 1.3 million boards and 15.6 million screws and nails (about 12 to a board). The boardwalk links the excitement of Coney's colorful amusements and the sweeping calm of beach and ocean. It is an enduring symbol of New York City and its most famous playground, Coney Island. His descendants still are around today.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, Kings County, New York, best remembered for the Riegelmann Boardwalk
Riegelmann Boardwalk
The Riegelmann Boardwalk, named for Edward J. Riegelmann but known by many as simply as the Coney Island Boardwalk, is located along the southern shore of the Coney Island peninsula adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean....
.
Riegelmann was one of five children born to Frederick and Margret Riegelmann (Swiss) on Manhattan's Lower East Side. The family moved to the Williamsberg ten years later. Riegelemann graduated from the Metropolis Law School, which has since merged with the New York University Law School. HE was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1898. He began practicing law with the Charles O. Grim and set out to make a mark in the field of Democratic Politics. In 1904 he was rewarded with leadership of the Democratic State Speakers Bureau in the Presidential Campaign, Elected Sheriff of Kings County 1915-1917 He was a delegate to Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
from New York, 1920 He ran for Borough president of Brooklyn, New York, 1918–1924; During his tenure as Borough President, Rieglemann won approval for construction of Brooklyn Municipal Building at Court and Joralemon Streets. Again Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
(alternate), in 1924 (alternate), 1940; Justice of New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
2nd District, 1925–1940, appointed by FDR.
He died on January 16, 1941.
Riegelmann Boardwalk/Coney Island Beach
Almost a century before the boardwalk opened along the Atlantic Ocean, Coney IslandConey Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
was on its way to becoming the nation’s most popular pleasure ground. In 1824 the Coney Island House was established as a seaside resort
Seaside resort
A seaside resort is a resort, or resort town, located on the coast. Where a beach is the primary focus for tourists, it may be called a beach resort.- Overview :...
, and within a few decades it was attracting a steady stream of visitors, including celebrities. After the Civil War, new railroad lines provided direct public transportation to a rapidly expanding list of attractions: restaurants, hotels, bathing pavilions, shops, amusement rides, race tracks, theatres, and as always, the beach and the ocean. At the turn of the century, amusement parks—Sea Lion Park, Steeplechase Park, Luna Park, and Dreamland—offered rides, concessions and entertainment on a spectacular scale.
Once the BMT subway line reached the area in 1920, the pleasures of Coney Island were just a five-cent ride away from the steaming city. Attendance on a hot summer day could reach as high as a million, causing extreme congestion on the beach. Making matters worse, private concessions (such as beachfront hotels, bath houses, and cabarets) controlled large portions of the beach. As Brooklyn Borough President from 1918 to 1924, Edward Riegelmann (1869–1941) took charge of beautifying Coney Island and ensuring public access to the beach and shore. After the city secured title to property along the beachfront, the $3 million beach improvement and boardwalk construction began in 1921.
The immense engineering project required 1.7 million cubic yards (1700000 cubic yards (1,299,743.3 m³)) of sand to add another 2.5 million square feet (1700000 square feet (157,935.2 m²)) to the beach area. Construction of the boardwalk made use of 120,000 tons of stone, 7700 cubic yards (5,887.1 m³) of reinforced concrete, and 3.6 million feet of timber, including long leaf yellow pine for the flooring. From a height of 14 feet (4.3 m) above the beach, the 80 feet (24.4 m) boardwalk stretched from W. 37th Street to Ocean Parkway and provided easy access to both beach and concessions. "Coney Island's Fifth Avenue" opened with great fanfare on May 15, 1923.
Even during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, the promise of fun at Coney Island continued to draw millions of visitors. New York City Parks Commissioner Robert Moses
Robert Moses
Robert Moses was the "master builder" of mid-20th century New York City, Long Island, Rockland County, and Westchester County, New York. As the shaper of a modern city, he is sometimes compared to Baron Haussmann of Second Empire Paris, and is one of the most polarizing figures in the history of...
, however, wanted to replace the commercial amusements with better opportunities for "exercise and healthy outdoor recreation." Parks was awarded jurisdiction of the beach and boardwalk in 1938, and Coney Island was given a $3 million facelift. Between 1938 and 1941, Parks shifted and straightened out much of the boardwalk and extended it east to Brighton Beach. Also, the beach was greatly expanded and entirely resurfaced with a 2 foot (0.6096 m) layer of fine white sand. The boardwalk was named for Borough President Riegelmann. Since 1983 the boardwalk has hosted the annual Mermaid Parade, which welcomes the summer beach season with a wild procession of sea-people. In 1993 "The First Symphony of the Sea," a 300 feet (91.4 m) sculpture wall by artist Toshio Sasaki, was installed on the boardwalk outside the Aquarium for Wildlife Conservation. Riegelmann Boardwalk has been reconstructed numerous times since 1923, and many portions are now made of sturdy hardwoods such as Lophira alata
Lophira alata
Lophira alata is a species of plant in the Ochnaceae family. It is found in Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Uganda. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical...
, Tabebuia serratifolia
Tabebuia serratifolia
Yellow Lapacho is a tree native to forests throughout Central and South America. This plant grows in the Cerrado vegetation of Brazil, reaching up to French Guiana, Bolivia, Paraguay and Northern Argentina...
, and Dipteryx odorata
Tonka bean
Dipteryx odorata is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the Orinoco region of northern South America. Its seeds are known as Tonka Beans. They are black and wrinkled and have a smooth brown interior...
. Along a distance of 2.7 miles (4.3 km), from W. 37th Street to Corbin Place, there are 1.3 million boards and 15.6 million screws and nails (about 12 to a board). The boardwalk links the excitement of Coney's colorful amusements and the sweeping calm of beach and ocean. It is an enduring symbol of New York City and its most famous playground, Coney Island. His descendants still are around today.
External links
- http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/ridge-riggin.html#SB90YHJ48