The Coney Island we know and love is gone. Even as building slows across the city, demolition moves forward unchecked. The rocket has been a Coney Island constant since Astroland opened in 1962 and last week it was removed from its iconic perch.

Luckily for us, photographer Ellery Samuels organized a Brooklyn Adventure for the Long Island Photographers Meetup and snapped these shots. Here’s what it looks like to dismantle Brooklyn’s storied past.

Ah the good old days. The Astroland Rocket on top of Gregory and Paul’s restaurant, its home since the 1970s when it was decommissioned as a ride and was turned into a party-sized park mascot.

Blastoff. A crane lifts the 71-ft., six-ton aluminum rocket off the rooftop.

To the moon. The Astroland Rocket was originally installed on a hydraulic lift, and was designed to simulate a trip to the moon using the video monitors in the front of the 26-passenger interior.

Click above to see more photos.

Sent by Annaliese. Photos thanks to Ellery Samuels, via Flickr.