<P> Some of these parks were developed in resort locations, such as bathing resorts at the seaside in New Jersey and New York . A premiere example in New Jersey was Atlantic City, a famous vacation resort . Entrepreneurs erected amusement parks on piers that extended from the boardwalk out over the ocean . The first of several was the Ocean Pier in 1891, followed later by the Steel Pier in 1898, both of which boasted rides and attractions typical of that time, such as Midway - style games and electric trolley rides . The boardwalk also had the first Roundabout installed in 1892 by William Somers, a wooden predecessor to the Ferris Wheel . Somers installed two others in Asbury Park, New Jersey and Coney Island, New York . </P> <P> Another early park was the Eldorado Amusement Park that opened in 1891 on the banks of the Hudson River, overlooking New York City . It consisted of 25 acres . </P> <P> The first permanent enclosed entertainment area, regulated by a single company, was founded in Coney Island in 1895: Sea Lion Park at Coney Island in Brooklyn . This park was one of the first to charge admission to get into the park in addition to sell tickets for rides within the park . </P> <P> In 1897, Sea Lion Park was joined by Steeplechase Park, the first of three major amusement parks that would open in the Coney Island area . George Tilyou designed the park to provide thrills and entertainment . The combination of the nearby population center of New York City and the ease of access to the area made Coney Island the embodiment of the American amusement park . Coney Island also featured Luna Park (1903) and Dreamland (1904). Coney Island was a huge success and by year 1910 attendance on days could reach a million people . Fueled by the efforts of Frederick Ingersoll who borrowed the name, other "Luna Parks" were quickly erected worldwide and opened to rave reviews . </P>

When was the first amusement park built in the us