9. Elephant Colossus
Another unfortunate victim of Coney Island’s raging fires was the Elephant Colossus. From 1885 until 1896, Coney Island had the most fantastical of hotels: the Elephant Hotel (also called the “Elephantine Colossus” or “Elephant Colossus”). It was 200-feet tall with a gilded crescent and stood proudly and prominently on Surf Avenue and West 12th street. James Lafferty designed the 12-story building with 31 rooms, even calling it the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
Although containing grand spaces like a concert hall, an observatory, and an events bazaar, it eventually became a hotspot for prostitutes, but even the gimmick there didn’t last long. The Elephant Colossus was pretty empty by the time a fire destroyed it in 1896. A cousin of the Colossus, Lucy, still stands in New Jersey, however and this month, will host some guests from Airbnb.
