{ "name": "The Coney Island (Pottsville) — documentary evidence chain", "description": "The records behind one finding: The earliest verified contemporaneous paper trail identified for a named coney/chili-dog origin claim.", "url": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/history/evidence", "temporalCoverage": "1913/2026", "license": "Every reproduced item is in the US public domain (basis recorded per record); this compilation, its transcriptions, and its glosses © The Coney Island Restaurant & Tavern, Pottsville, PA — quote with attribution.", "dateModified": "2026-06-12", "recordCount": 20, "records": [ { "id": "e01", "anchor": "e01-1915-17-boyds-no-palles", "date": "1915/1917", "dateDisplay": "1915–17", "document": "Boyd's Directory of Pottsville, 1915–17 edition", "citation": "Boyd's Directory of Pottsville · 1915–17 edition", "whatItShows": "No Palles appears anywhere in the 1915–17 edition — the name arrives in the next compilation. Negative evidence, checked page by page.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-OCR", "repository": "Internet Archive", "sourceUrl": "https://archive.org/details/boydsdirectoryof0000whbo_u8b4", "transcription": null, "imageUrl": null, "provenance": "Internet Archive open-access scan (Pottsville Free Public Library collection)" }, { "id": "e02", "anchor": "e02-1917-19-boyds-palles-sam", "date": "1917/1919", "dateDisplay": "1917–19 edition (compiled 1917)", "document": "Boyd's Directory of Pottsville, 1917–19 edition, p. 266", "citation": "Boyd's Directory of Pottsville · 1917–19 edition · p. 266", "whatItShows": "Sam Palles present in Pottsville in the 1917 compilation window — a bootblack, rooming at 412 N. 2nd St. The earliest directory presence.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Internet Archive", "sourceUrl": "https://archive.org/details/boydsdirectoryof0000whbo_w0v7", "transcription": "Palles Sam, bootblack, h 412 N 2d", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/boyds-directory-1917-19-palles-sam-bootblack-1200.jpg", "provenance": "Internet Archive open-access scan (Pottsville Free Public Library collection)" }, { "id": "e03", "anchor": "e03-1918-10-10-registrants", "date": "1918-10-10", "dateDisplay": "October 10, 1918", "document": "Pottsville Republican, p. 3 — the printed list of Sept. 12 draft registrants", "citation": "Pottsville Republican · Oct. 10, 1918 · p. 3", "whatItShows": "Sam Palles's name in newsprint — number 3480 in the city's printed list of September 12, 1918 draft registrants. His earliest located appearance in a newspaper.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Newspapers.com", "sourceUrl": "https://www.newspapers.com/image/449751718", "transcription": "LATEST CLASS OF REGISTRANTS — The following additional names of registrants of Sept. 12 is given below, continued from the previous days: … 3480—Sam Palles, Pottsville.", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/pottsville-republican-1918-10-10-p3-registrants-sam-palles-1600.jpg", "provenance": "Published before 1931 — US public domain" }, { "id": "e04", "anchor": "e04-1918-11-08-grand-opening", "date": "1918-11-08", "dateDisplay": "November 8, 1918", "document": "Pottsville Republican, p. 2 — the grand-opening notice for 215 N. Centre Street", "citation": "Pottsville Republican · Nov. 8, 1918 · p. 2", "whatItShows": "The storefront announces itself — \"the famous Coney Island Hot Weiners\" at 215 N. Centre St. The Coney Island name is on the building from day one, and the notice ran again the next evening (the run code reads n8-2t).", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Newspapers.com", "sourceUrl": "https://www.newspapers.com/image/449757310", "transcription": "Grand Opening To-night — At 215 N. Centre St. the place to get the famous Coney Island Hot Weiners, known and cherished by every visitor of that noted place. Soft drinks etc., also served. n8-2t", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/pottsville-republican-1918-11-08-p2-grand-opening-ad-1600.jpg", "provenance": "Published before 1931 — US public domain" }, { "id": "e05", "anchor": "e05-1919-21-boyds-palles-215", "date": "1919/1921", "dateDisplay": "1919–21 edition", "document": "Boyd's Directory of Pottsville, 1919–21 edition", "citation": "Boyd's Directory of Pottsville · 1919–21 edition", "whatItShows": "Sam Palles now at 215 N. Centre Street — the exact grand-opening address — living above the business.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Internet Archive", "sourceUrl": "https://archive.org/details/boydsdirectoryof0000whbo_m9s6", "transcription": "Palles Sam, bootblack, 215 N Centre, h do", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/boyds-directory-1919-21-palles-sam-215-n-centre-1200.jpg", "provenance": "Internet Archive open-access scan (Pottsville Free Public Library collection)" }, { "id": "e06", "anchor": "e06-1919-06-09-partnership-roster", "date": "1919-06-09", "dateDisplay": "June 9, 1919", "document": "Pottsville Republican, p. 7 — a printed business roster, listed by ward", "citation": "Pottsville Republican · Jun. 9, 1919 · p. 7", "whatItShows": "The earliest dated attestation of the partnership — \"Palles & Sarantokas,\" paired with the trade name \"Pottsville Pure Food Store,\" in a printed business roster. Both names coexisted with the Coney Island Hot Weiners brand already in use at the storefront.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Newspapers.com", "sourceUrl": "https://www.newspapers.com/image/449425910", "transcription": "Palles & Sarantokas — Pottsville Pure Food Store", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/pottsville-republican-1919-06-09-p7-business-roster-800.jpg", "provenance": "Published before 1931 — US public domain" }, { "id": "e07", "anchor": "e07-1922-24-boyds-partnership", "date": "1922/1924", "dateDisplay": "1922–24 edition", "document": "Boyd's Directory of Pottsville, 1922–24 edition", "citation": "Boyd's Directory of Pottsville · 1922–24 edition", "whatItShows": "The firm in full: Palles & Sarantakos — bootblacks at 213 N. Centre, restaurant at 215. The institution is bigger than one man from its early years.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Internet Archive", "sourceUrl": "https://archive.org/details/boydsdirectoryof0000whbo_u7j1", "transcription": "Palles Sam, (Palles & Sarantakos), h 215 N Centre — Palles & Sarantakos, (S. Palles & T. Sarantakos), bootblacks, 213 N Centre, restaurant, 215 do", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/boyds-directory-1922-24-palles-and-sarantakos-1200.jpg", "provenance": "Internet Archive open-access scan (Pottsville Free Public Library collection)" }, { "id": "e08", "anchor": "e08-1926-28-boyds-antoinette", "date": "1926/1928", "dateDisplay": "1926–28 edition", "document": "Boyd's Directory of Pottsville, 1926–28 edition", "citation": "Boyd's Directory of Pottsville · 1926–28 edition", "whatItShows": "Sam Palles with his wife Antoinette in the household entry; the firm now plainly \"restaurant, 215 N Centre.\" The last directory compiled in the founder's lifetime.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Internet Archive", "sourceUrl": "https://archive.org/details/boydsdirectoryof0000whbo_t3k5", "transcription": "Palles Sam, (Antoinette), (Palles & Sarantakos), h 215 N Centre — Palles & Sarantakos, (S. Palles & T. Sarantakos), restaurant, 215 N Centre", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/boyds-directory-1926-28-palles-antoinette-firm-1200.jpg", "provenance": "Internet Archive open-access scan (Pottsville Free Public Library collection)" }, { "id": "e09", "anchor": "e09-1927-12-14-lunch-room", "date": "1927-12-14", "dateDisplay": "December 14, 1927", "document": "Pottsville Republican — a classified naming the Coney Island Lunch Room", "citation": "Pottsville Republican · Dec. 14, 1927 · p. 18", "whatItShows": "The earliest dated attestation of the \"Coney Island Lunch Room\" name — a year earlier than the date previous retrospectives gave it. The business is renting out a Downing Street building and takes inquiries at the counter.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Newspapers.com", "sourceUrl": "https://www.newspapers.com/image/449757243", "transcription": "FOR RENT.—Building, Downing St., vacated by Kane Pretzel Bakery. Call at Coney Island Lunch Room, 215 N. Centre St.", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/pottsville-republican-1927-12-14-coney-island-lunch-room-classified-1200.jpg", "provenance": "Published before 1931 — US public domain" }, { "id": "e10", "anchor": "e10-1928-05-09-funeral-notice", "date": "1928-05-09", "dateDisplay": "May 9, 1928", "document": "Pottsville Republican, p. 13 — \"Funeral Of Local Man\"", "citation": "Pottsville Republican · May 9, 1928 · p. 13", "whatItShows": "The founder's funeral notice — Sarantos Panteliakis, \"proprietor of the Coney Island Hot Weiner Restaurant on N. Centre St.,\" resident at 217 N. Centre, buried at Charles Baber Cemetery. The pallbearers include Peter Parthemos (his wife's family) and Angello Palles.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Newspapers.com", "sourceUrl": "https://www.newspapers.com/image/450479578", "transcription": "Funeral Of Local Man — The funeral of Sarantos Panteliakis, proprietor of the Coney Island Hot Weiner Restaurant on N. Centre St., took place Wednesday afternoon, at 2:30, from his late residence, 217 N. Centre St. Services were conducted by Rev. Pansyiotes of Reading. The services were held in the Chapel of Resurrection in the Charles Baber cemetery, where the burial was also made. It was a large attended funeral and there were many floral tributes. The pall bearers were: Peter Gorant, Nick Girant, James Gorant, Peter Parthemos, George Palas, Jack Sterling, Louis Thomakes, Angello Palles. Undertaker C. A. Lord was in charge.", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/pottsville-republican-1928-05-09-p13-funeral-notice-800.jpg", "provenance": "Published before 1931 — US public domain" }, { "id": "e11", "anchor": "e11-1928-29-directory-widow", "date": "1928/1929", "dateDisplay": "1928–29 edition", "document": "Pottsville City Directory, 1928–29 edition", "citation": "Pottsville City Directory · 1928–29 edition", "whatItShows": "The widow's entry — \"Palles Antoinette (wid Saml)\" — still at 215 N. Centre. The same edition lists Thomas Sarantakos, restaurant, 215 N. Centre: the partnership family keeps the counter running beside her.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Internet Archive", "sourceUrl": "https://archive.org/details/pttsvllctydir1928_images", "transcription": "Palles Antoinette (wid Saml) h215 N Centre", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/pottsville-city-directory-1928-29-palles-antoinette-widow-1200.jpg", "provenance": "Internet Archive open-access scan" }, { "id": "e12", "anchor": "e12-1930-04-09-fire-aftermath", "date": "1930-04-09", "dateDisplay": "April 9, 1930", "document": "Pottsville Republican, p. 5 — fire-aftermath coverage", "citation": "Pottsville Republican · Apr. 9, 1930 · p. 5", "whatItShows": "Contemporaneous print that the widow continued to run the restaurant after the founder's death — stated as plain fact in the fire coverage.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-OCR", "repository": "Newspapers.com", "sourceUrl": "https://www.newspapers.com/image/449780699", "transcription": "… Later it was purchased by Samuel Palles who operated the Coney Island restaurant and upon his death about a year ago his widow continued to run the establishment.", "imageUrl": null, "provenance": "Published before 1931 — US public domain" }, { "id": "e13", "anchor": "e13-1930-04-11-owned-by-mrs-palles", "date": "1930-04-11", "dateDisplay": "April 11, 1930", "document": "Pottsville Republican, p. 1 — the fire investigation", "citation": "Pottsville Republican · Apr. 11, 1930 · p. 1", "whatItShows": "Front-page print: the buildings at 213 and 215 N. Centre St. were \"owned by Mrs. Sam Palles, and occupied by the Coney Island Restaurant.\" Ownership and operation, in the same sentence, in 1930.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Newspapers.com", "sourceUrl": "https://www.newspapers.com/image/449781586", "transcription": "After investigating the fire of Tuesday night that destroyed the buildings at 213 and 215 N. Centre St., owned by Mrs. Sam Palles, and occupied by the Coney Island Restaurant and the Dollar Cleaning Co., it is believed that the fire was started by a cigarette tossed carelessly into a pile of waste paper in the rear of the restaurant. It was first believed that the fire was of incendiary origin but after questioning those concerned, the fire chief relieved them of any suspicion. Had an alarm been sounded when the fire was first discovered it may not have reached the proportion that it did, the chief said.", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/pottsville-republican-1930-04-11-p1-fire-mrs-sam-palles-800.jpg", "provenance": "Published before 1931 — US public domain" }, { "id": "e14", "anchor": "e14-1936-08-12-established-1917", "date": "1936-08-12", "dateDisplay": "August 12, 1936", "document": "Pottsville Republican, p. 9 — the business's own advertisement", "citation": "Pottsville Republican · Aug. 12, 1936 · p. 9", "whatItShows": "The business's own advertising states the chili sauce and the founding date in one block — \"With Real Chili Sauce — Established 1917\" — while the founding generation was alive to contradict it. Nobody did.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Newspapers.com", "sourceUrl": "https://www.newspapers.com/image/450239118", "transcription": "Coney Island Hot Weiners — With Real Chili Sauce — Established 1917 — 215 N. Centre Street, Pottsville", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/pottsville-republican-1936-08-12-p9-established-1917-ad-1600.jpg", "provenance": "Copyright not renewed (the UPenn periodical-renewals inventory for 1931–1950 contains no Pottsville entries) and, independently, the 1909 Act's ad-notice rule — US public domain" }, { "id": "e15", "anchor": "e15-1920-01-02-census-215-n-centre", "date": "1920-01-02", "dateDisplay": "January 2, 1920", "document": "1920 U.S. census, Pottsville Ward 4, ED 92, sheet 1A — 215 N. Centre Street", "citation": "1920 U.S. census · Pottsville Ward 4, ED 92, sheet 1A · enumerated Jan. 2, 1920", "whatItShows": "Fourteen months after the grand opening, a federal enumerator stands in 215 N. Centre St. and writes the household down: Palles, Sam — head, age 19, born Greece, immigrated 1916 — his trade line reading Restauranter, industry Lunch Room, class Employer. Boarding with him: a bootblack, a 56-year-old lunch-room clerk, and Thomas Sarantakos — entered in the relationship column as \"Uncle.\"", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "FamilySearch", "sourceUrl": "https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RXN-CH6", "transcription": "215 — Palles, Sam — Head — rents — M W 19, single — immigrated 1916, alien — born Greece — speaks English — Restauranter — Lunch Room — Employer. Galitos, Alex — Boarder — 19 — immigrated 1916, alien — Bootblack — Cigar store. Athas, Mick — Boarder — 56 — immigrated 1907, alien — Clerk — Lunch Room. Sarantakos, Thomas — Uncle — 33 — immigrated 1904, naturalized 1915 — Clerk — Cigar store.", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/census-1920-ed92-sheet1a-palles-household-1600.jpg", "provenance": "U.S. federal census schedule — government record, public domain (NARA T625, roll 1651)" }, { "id": "e16", "anchor": "e16-1928-death-certificate-54500", "date": "1928-05-06", "dateDisplay": "May 6, 1928", "document": "Pennsylvania certificate of death, file no. 54500 — Samuel Pallas", "citation": "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate of death · file no. 54500 · filed May 7, 1928", "whatItShows": "The founder's death certificate, located through the state's own 1928 index and read in full. Date of death May 6, 1928 — confirming the stone and settling the index's variant May 8 reading — occupation Restauranteur, industry Hot Weiners, employer self. The informant is Thomas Sarantakos of 216 N. Centre St.; burial May 9 at Charles Baber Cemetery.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "PA State Archives series via Ancestry (collection 5164)", "sourceUrl": "https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/5164/images/42342_645856_0565-01074", "transcription": "Full name: Samuel Pallas. Color or race: Greek. Date of death: May 6, 1928, 3:40 p.m. Occupation — trade: Restauranteur; industry: Hot Weiners; employer: self. Name of father: Peter Pallas. Cause: suppurative gangrenous appendicitis; contributory, peritonitis; operation May 4. Where was disease contracted: 215 N. Centre St. Informant: Thomas Sakandekos [Sarantakos], 216 N. Centre St., Pottsville. Filed May 7, 1928. Burial: Chas. Baber Cem., May 9, 1928 — undertaker Claude A. Lord, Pottsville.", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/pa-death-certificate-1928-54500-samuel-pallas-1600.jpg", "provenance": "Pennsylvania public record (statewide open death records, 1906–1971); image from the PA State Archives' digitized series" }, { "id": "e17", "anchor": "e17-1930-04-22-census-sarantakos-household", "date": "1930-04-22", "dateDisplay": "April 22, 1930", "document": "1930 U.S. census, Pottsville Ward 1, ED 54-86, sheet 18B — 216 N. Centre Street", "citation": "1930 U.S. census · Pottsville Ward 1, ED 54-86, sheet 18B · enumerated Apr. 22, 1930", "whatItShows": "Fourteen days after the fire, the census finds the widow and her sons across the street from the burned 213–215, in the Thomas Sarantakos household at 216 N. Centre — Palles, Anna [Antonia], niece, 28, widowed, with Peter, 6, and Augustus (Gus), 4, both born Pennsylvania. Her occupation column reads None: that month there was no restaurant to keep. The head of the household is still a restaurant man — Merchant, Restaurant, Employer.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "FamilySearch", "sourceUrl": "https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RCJ-KRB", "transcription": "216 — Sanatankos, Thomas — Head — rents, $45 — M W 40 — born Greece, immigrated 1905, naturalized — Merchant — Restaurant — Employer — veteran, WW. Desbel [Despo] — Wife — 31 — born Greece, immigrated 1913. Palles, Anna [Antonia] — Niece — F W 28, widowed — born Greece, immigrated 1921 — occupation None. Peter — Nephew — 6 — born Pennsylvania. Augustus — Nephew — 4 — born Pennsylvania.", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/census-1930-ed54-86-sheet18b-sarantakos-palles-household-1600.jpg", "provenance": "U.S. federal census schedule — government record, public domain (NARA T626)" }, { "id": "e18", "anchor": "e18-1989-06-07-antonia-obituary", "date": "1989-06-07", "dateDisplay": "June 7, 1989", "document": "Pottsville Republican, p. 2 — \"Antonia Palles, 87; started Coney Island\"", "citation": "Pottsville Republican · Jun. 7, 1989 · p. 2", "whatItShows": "Sixty-one years after she was widowed, the town's paper writes the succession into her headline — started Coney Island. The obituary calls her the last surviving original owner, places her death at 215 N. Centre St. itself, and repeats the founding year on its own authority: the restaurant \"was officially started in 1917.\"", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Newspapers.com", "sourceUrl": "https://www.newspapers.com/image/468249810", "transcription": "Antonia Palles, 87, the last surviving original owner of the Coney Island, Pottsville, died Tuesday at her local residence, 215 N. Centre St. … [She] was with the Coney Island restaurant business when it was officially started in 1917 in Pottsville. … Her husband, Sam, died in 1928.", "imageUrl": null, "provenance": "Pottsville Republican, 1989 — in copyright; quoted briefly with citation, with the page linked at its source" }, { "id": "x1", "anchor": "x1-1913-04-13-atlanta", "date": "1913-04-13", "dateDisplay": "April 13, 1913", "document": "The Atlanta Constitution, p. 15 — the practice, before anyone named it", "citation": "The Atlanta Constitution · Apr. 13, 1913 · p. 15", "whatItShows": "Chili on hot dogs is on the record in Atlanta in 1913 — Greek vendors, a thriving trade — and the article names no individual and no venue as its origin. This page is why this restaurant never claims the practice itself.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Smithsonian Magazine", "sourceUrl": "https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/origins-coney-island-hot-dog-uniquely-american-story-180959659/", "transcription": "HAVE YOU GOT THE \"HOT DOG\" … — By James W. Meade — [photo caption:] Greek boys have the \"hot dog\" monopoly sewed up. The lad in the picture aims to be a great sculptor. — Hail! The Hot Dog! At last has the luscious hog-fruit come into its own. From the purlieus of the Great Boulevard of Blaze to the most isolated jerk-water hamlet in Mississippi, it has made the air fragrant with the seductive aroma of onions and sauerkraut …", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/atlanta-constitution-1913-04-13-p15-hot-dog-habit-1600.jpg", "provenance": "Published before 1931 — US public domain" }, { "id": "x2", "anchor": "x2-1950-01-19-fictitious-name", "date": "1950-01-19", "dateDisplay": "January 19, 1950", "document": "Pottsville Republican — fictitious-name notice, Coney Island Lunch Company", "citation": "Pottsville Republican · Jan. 19, 1950", "whatItShows": "Twenty-two years after the founder's death, Antonia S. Palles is a named owner in print — with Anastasios Sarantakos, filing the Coney Island Lunch Company name for 215 North Centre Street.", "evidenceLevel": "VERIFIED-IMAGE", "repository": "Newspapers.com", "sourceUrl": "https://www.newspapers.com/image/449995719", "transcription": "NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the intention to file in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in the Office of the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County on January 25, 1950, a certificate for the conduct of a business under the assumed or fictitious name, style or designation of CONEY ISLAND LUNCH COMPANY with its principal place of business located at 215 North Centre st., Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The names and addresses of all persons owning or interested in said business are Anastasios Sarantakos, Antonia S. Palles. JAMES R. HIGGINS, Solicitor", "imageUrl": "https://coneyislandpottsville.com/img/history/pottsville-republican-1950-01-19-fictitious-name-notice-1200.jpg", "provenance": "Copyright not renewed (the UPenn periodical-renewals inventory for 1931–1950 contains no Pottsville entries) — US public domain" } ] }