The White World – Coney Island c. 1904

The Coney Island attraction The White World is a chance to “see” the northern regions of the globe. Since most people at the turn-of the-century rarely ventured more than a few miles from home, this experience promises to be the next best thing.

Located on Surf Avenue and West 16th Street, the outside display of White World was interesting enough to stop pedestrians. Convincing them to pay the five and ten cent admission for children and adults respectively is another story.

If you part with your nickel and dime among the things you will see are icebergs, mountains; the midnight sun and an Eskimo burial.

The Detroit Publishing photographer did not specify any details except that this is Coney Island. Searching newspaper archives I could not find any information about The White World.

The location I was able to pinpoint because it is adjacent to the Clarendon Hotel.

If The White World was not exciting enough, the Clarendon Hotel advertises The Galveston Flood on Surf Ave.. In addition The Clarendon provided a regular dinner costing fifty cents.

The Galveston Flood occurred September 8, 1900 and was responsible for killing more than 8,000 people. The Surf Ave version of the flood did not depict the true horror of the event even though it was claimed to be “Coney Island’s Greatest Attraction.”

One shoeless boy standing tippy-toe, desperately wants to see what is inside the White World but surely does not have the money to enter.

Meanwhile a mother is either telling her boy, “do you want to go inside?” Or, “We have to get going. Some other time.”

I like the idea of an ice cream soda or lemonade for a nickel.

Finally, The White World, as all good attractions do, possesses a restaurant. A complete dinner is a quarter and clam chowder a dime.