Remembering History: The Coney Island Elephant was a hotel and brothel built in the shape of an elephant, and located on Coney Island. In 1885, the Elephant Hotel, also known as the Elephantine Colossus, was built by James V. Lafferty and was 122 feet high with seven floors and had 31 rooms. The hotel became associated with prostitution. This lead to the phrase “going to see the elephant” being created, to mean going to see a prostitute.

The Coney Island Elephant was a hotel and brothel built in the shape of an elephant, and located on Coney Island. In 1885, the Elephant Hotel, also known as the Elephantine Colossus, was built by James V. Lafferty and was 122 feet high with seven floors and had 31 rooms. The hotel became associated with prostitution. This lead to the phrase “going to see the elephant” being created, to mean going to see a prostitute.

The Coney Island Elephant was a hotel and brothel built in the shape of an elephant, and located on Coney Island. In 1885, the Elephant Hotel, also known as the Elephantine Colossus, was built by James V. Lafferty and was 122 feet high with seven floors and had 31 rooms. The hotel became associated with prostitution. This lead to the phrase “going to see the elephant” being created, to mean going to see a prostitute.