Astroland at Coney Island is sadly being dismantled ride by ride this month. It’s kind of going the way of the Half Moon Hotel—once a majestic, Spanish Colonial–style resort right on the boardwalk.
Opened in 1927, the Half Moon was supposed to compete with then-luxe Atlantic City and attract upscale crowds to Coney rather than just hordes of working-class day-trippers.
Well, that didn’t exactly happen. In the 1930s, the hotel teetered on the brink of foreclosure; it eeked out a profit by hosting banquets and conventions.
And then Abe “Kid Twist” Reles moved in. Reles was a gangster with Murder, Inc. who turned informant after he was charged with homicide in 1940. While he testified at different trials, he lived under police protection at the Half Moon, guarded by six cops and watched at all times.
Abe Reles, prior to taking up residence at the Half Moon. Looks like he knew what was in store for him.
In the early hours of November 12, 1941, Reles was found dead, flat on his back on the roof of the hotel kitchen far below his sixth-floor window. Bed sheets tied together like a makeshift rope made it seem like he fell to his death while trying to escape.
Or was he pushed? In the 1960s, mob boss Lucky Luciano said that police were paid $50,000 to toss Reles out the window. No one knows for sure, and the Half Moon—knocked down in the 1990s to make way for a senior citizens’ home—took its secrets to the grave.
Tags: Abe Reles, Coney Island, gangsters of New York, Half Moon Hotel, Inc., Kid Twist, Lucky Luciano, Murder
Ephemeral New York 
December 19, 2008 at 1:38 am |
I’ve often been told by older folks that I look exactly like ‘Abe Reles’. I never knew who they meant as I thought they were saying ‘Relish’, but now I know. And from this mugshot photo, I must admit they were right. Love your site!
March 25, 2009 at 1:44 pm |
It looks like it was a very cool old hotel. It is always a shame when they have to tear down a historic building to make room for new construction. I really like your site. Lots of great, interesting topics. Brian
Clinton Missouri Hotels
May 25, 2011 at 6:14 pm |
Word has it that I was the last baby born at Harbor Hospital in Coney Island on June 12, 1950 at 4:30 p.m. I wonder if that could be verified. They didn’t want any more after me!
October 11, 2011 at 6:43 pm |
Hi, I”mso curious. Were there babies born in the harbor hospital in 1942. My birth certificate says I was born there in Jan. 27th, 1942. But I read that it was a materaty hospital in the middle to late 40,s.
July 5, 2012 at 8:25 pm |
I am now 81 y.o. and lived on the corner of 29th in a apt. bldg.
and i remember the news that a gangster was pushed out the window of the Half Moon Hotel. I was ten years old at the time.
That apartment building was originally a hotel, I believe. And had Salt water pumped into the bathroom from the ocean. I think the address was 2929 West 29th st,
November 23, 2014 at 5:45 pm |
Frank, I’m writing a book about growing up in Brooklyn and all the goodies of our time.
I’m your age and live in California. Can you contact me about what happened to the half moon hotel eventually. How long was it a hotel? As well as whatever else you would like to share about Coney Island.
Much thanks,
Barbra
hanabarbra1818@gmail.com
July 9, 2012 at 3:14 am |
[…] 1941, the Half Moon earned a place in mob history: Murder, Inc. turncoat Abe “Kid Twist” Reles plunged to his death from his sixth floor room there under mysterious […]
June 5, 2013 at 11:41 am |
Reles could have linked Murder Inc to Umburto Anastasia. Thus the powerful Mafiosi had no choice but to try. There is no evidence of any attempt. Killing him in route to court in the morning would be too risky but one must concede that it was better than having to also rub out 6 cops as well as Reles. The prosecutors would have unleashed unbridled fury if that happened. Thus I conclude the reason there was no attempt the night before is because it merged into the incident if Reles’ plunge from his 6th story room. The filthy murderer was executed by Cosa Nostra. Anastasia walked so he could surprisingly be butchered by Frank Costello before the arrival of the 60’s. Lucky Luciano asserted that police were paid $50,000 to throw the stinking killer out of his window. The knotted sheet could easily have been conjured up by seasoned homicide detectives seeking to cover the “hit.” Each cop should be asked on his deathbed! But I conclude Reles of Murder Inc was murdered by his master, the Executioner Umberto Anastasia. The haunt of the Half Moon was never to be lifted. All of it awaits justice from on high.
November 10, 2013 at 12:20 am |
I recently found an old photo of my parents wedding dinner party at the Hotel Half Moon. It was taken on June 8th 1941. It’s sad to learn that the Hotel was torn down for new construction.
March 17, 2014 at 8:07 pm |
I was lucky to be born in Coney Island, at the Harbor Hospital, on Dec. 6, 1949.
June 25, 2016 at 10:01 pm |
I am 80 years old. I lived first on 29th Street then moved to 2917 West 28th Street. My first cousin, Freida Schneider Haas entered a contest and won by naming the Half Moon Hotel. I remember so much from my early years living in Coney Island
March 9, 2022 at 6:48 pm |
Hello,
I to was VERY lucky to have lived in Coney Island from 1953 t01963 on West 33rd. St In the Gravesend Project s any body will tell you that growing up in CI during those years was heaven. After that Coney went right down the sewer. My name is Bobby Ottiano and I live in Staten Island now but have nothing bad to say about C I during the best years of my life. My buddy and me Vinny used to go diving off the jettys for lobster and any fish that would swim by, but some asshole thought it would be a good idea to cover the rocks with sand and mess that up. I could go on forever but I have a bad habit I have to eat once in a while. If ANYBODY out there happens to know me I would love to hear from. I almost forgot. I’am looking for a girl named Linda Borden who used to live on 2703 W 33rd street in Coney Island. Anybody know her? It’s very important to me, please call with any information 347 861 0068 leave message I will answer ALL.
Thanks and God speed to you all
Bobby Ottiano
Staten Island