Just two days after diver Gene Ritter recovered it from the ocean floor, the Dreamland bell that sunk during the iron pier fire of 1911, was being rung again. Temporarily displayed at the Coney Island History Project, where it will remain through September 13th, you can pay $1 to give it a ring yourself—and it still sounds good after nearly a century underwater! They explain that "a hose system was set up to keep the bell constantly wet since it has been underwater for 98 years." Also on display are old images of the bell as well as other artifacts Ritter has recovered, including bottles, china and lamps. See more images here. more ›

The old 500-lb brass bell that was lost in the ocean during a massive Dreamland Park fire in 1911, just got a new lease on life. As previously mentioned, the bell was discovered underwater by diver Gene Ritter, who brought it back to land yesterday. The NY Post reports that "the divers used netting and inflatable 'lift bags' to lift the bell, which was later towed about four miles east to the Gateway Marina on Flatbush Avenue, where it was lifted ashore by a massive forklift as a crowd of about 100 people gathering to watch the historic moment cheered on." (ABC News has video.) The bell still sounds good, according to Ritter; it used to be rung when passengers would arrive by steamboat to the iron pier, and it will now be temporarily on display at the Coney Island History Project museum before finding a permanent home in the neighborhood. Ritter added, "We could easily put this on eBay and make $100,000, but our goal is to preserve history." more ›

Back on May 27, 1911 Coney Island was doing worse off than it is today, with Dreamland Park in flames for a full 18 hours, burning to the ground and never again being rebuilt as it was. But a piece of the glory days was just found underwater; the NY Post reports that local divers are bringing up a piece of the past: a massive 500-lb bell that sunk to the ocean floor with the rest of the pier. Diver Gene Ritter told the paper, "I knew the bell existed, but I never dreamed I would find it. I thought it would be buried in mud. I was stunned, especially over the incredible shape the bell is in." more ›