yesterdaysprint:

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri, July 14, 1895

Artists idea for a Sunday prohibition boat anchored near Coney Island.

About Elephantine Colossus, seen in the background, Wikipedia says:

Originally intended to serve as a hotel, the elephant contained novelty stalls, a gallery, a grand hall, and a museum in what would be the elephant’s left lung. The elephant’s eyes contained telescopes and acted as an observatory for visitors. Its manager claimed to see, from the elephant’s back, Yellowstone Park, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris.

As Coney Island became more established as a center of tourism and leisure, the elephant began to serve as a brothel as well. When the elephant caught fire on September 27, 1896, it had not been used for several years.