The history of Coney Island goes beyond local eateries and can be traced back to the neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York.

Coney Island became a resort in 1829 with the opening of Coney Island House.

The first enclosed amusement park at Coney Island, Sea-Lion Park, opened in 1895.

A subway line connecting Manhattan to Coney Island opened in 1920.

The Cyclone roller coaster opened to eager riders in 1927.

Coney Island USA was founded in 1981 to preserve the history, art and culture of Coney Island.

The Coney Dog

While the roots of the hot dog remain hazy, there is no disputing the phenomenon of this famous meal on the go.

The famous Coney Island hot dog was created in 1867 by Charles Feltman.

Feltman eventually invested his money in a restaurant, where he employed Nathan Handwerker, the eventual founder of Nathan’s Famous.

Today, the Nathan’s Famous stand on Coney Island sells an estimated one million hot dogs each year.

National Hot Dog Day was organized in 1939.

The quintessential “Coney dog” is topped with chili, chopped raw onions and either cheese or mustard.

Nathan’s Famous

Perhaps the world’s most well-known hot dog stand, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs have been enjoyed by men and women of all ages for over 90 years.

The legendary hot dog stand was founded in 1916 by Nathan Handwerker, who was born in Poland and immigrated to the United States in 1912.

The first Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest was held in 1916. The 2007 champion was Joey Chestnut of San Diego, Calif., who ate 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.

Among the restaurant’s notable customers were gangster Al Capone, singer/actress Barbra Streisand and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Nathan’s Famous became a public company in 1970.

Today, the chain is selling hot dogs around the globe in 17 countries, with over 1,400 locations.