Beach bathing near the Iron Pier - 1880's

Beach bathing near the Iron Pier - 1880's

The seaside was a place that all people could swim. Since Coney Island bent the social rules of etiquette, men and women were allowed to frolic together and “let their hair done”. The fact that the women are being held up by two men shows how the interactions between men and women were more relaxed. However, even with that, it is interesting that the men still had to wear a shirt and pants, and women had to wear a dress. However, this did not stop the visits for having a good time as seen by the swimmer’s smiles. Though the photograph seems deliberate, the swimmers do not appear to be staged, but rather it is like the photographer told the group to face the camera and smile. The woman in the background appears to be pointing to the camera, which gives more evidence that the photo was spontaneous.

Jeffrey Stanton.

1880s

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