I am looking for information on the 1919 arrest of a women in Coney Island, New York for wearing a bathing garment (what would have basically looked like a long dress with stockings) in public – under her normal clothes. Swimsuits Requirements and or Loca

Dear Ms. Matticoli,

You should direct your question to the New York Municipal Archives.  The Municipal Archives holds criminal court records for King's County and Police and Magistrate Court docket books (all Boroughs), 1790-1949.  If she was tried following her arrest, there should be details in the file that answer your questions regarding swimsuit bans and ordinances.

Contact information can be found at:

Department of Records - Contact Records

Sincerely,

Patrick Connelly

Archivist

The National Archives at Philadelphia

During the turn of the century Coney Island, NY saw MANY incidents of people either threatened with arrest, or arrested for "indecency" due to their bathing apparel.

Since Coney Island is located in NY, a GREAT resource to consult would be the archives of the New York Times at: Archives - The New York Times

Here are some bibliographical leads to get you started there:

"Bathing Suite Rule Enforced at Beach: Censors at Coney Island Forbid Women Bathers to Appear in Socks or One-Piece Outfits,” The New York Times, May 31, 1920, 14.

“Coney Island’s Great Crowd: A Youthful Fagin Arrested- Bathers Escape Police and Board a Trolley Car,” The New York Times, August 20, 1900, 10.

“Fined at Coney for Wearing Hylan Style Suit,” The New York Times, August 28, 1923, 19.

There was also a book published in 1943 that focused on Coney Island during this era titled: Sodom by the sea;: An affectionate history of Coney Island

https://www.amazon.com/Sodom-sea-affectionate-history-Island/dp/B0007DUEBU

Happy researching!