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INFO VINE * Historical Facts About Atlantic City *
Valley of the Sun Casual Club :: WORDS , FACTS , DATES , GAMES & TRIVIA & HISTORY :: INFORMATION VINE
Page 1 of 1
INFO VINE * Historical Facts About Atlantic City *
by Paul Sun 28 Jan 2024, 8:37 am
Historical Facts About Atlantic City
Photo Courtesy: [Edward Mason Eggleston/Wikimedia Commons]
Historical Facts About Atlantic City, NJ
Atlantic City's Most Interesting Historical Facts And Sites
Historical Facts That Helped Shape Atlantic City, NJ
Atlantic City's Historical Sites And Fun Facts
Fun Facts About Atlantic City, NJ And Its Historical Sites
49 Interesting Historical Facts About Atlantic City, NJ
All About The Historic Atlantic City, NJ And Its Attractions
Historical Occurrences In Atlantic City, NJ
Interesting Facts About The History Of Atlantic City, NJ
The History Of Atlantic City, NJ And Its Sites
Atlantic City, NJ was founded May 1st, 1854, and has been a favorite American destination ever since. Situated on the East Coast, it is home to a bustling boardwalk and famous Jersey shore beaches. Atlantic City is known for many things, but among the most popular would be its casinos. From The Borgata to Harrah's, to Bally's, there's always something fun to get into!
We'll take a look at some historical facts about Atlantic City and dive into how it became what we know and love today. So, get ready for some entertainment! You're in for a show-stopping experience.
Developers of the mid-1800s took notice of an area with beautiful beaches and a great location. They knew they had a potential gold mine in their hands if they could turn the area into a resort city. The primary sources of funding would be from tourism and vacationing. This town would go on to become the famous Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Photo Courtesy: [Photographer not credited/Wikimedia Commons]
A railroad infrastructure was put in place between 1854, when the city was incorporated, and 1857. This connected highly populated regions like Philadelphia to Absecon Island, where Atlantic City was developed. At one point in time, the city was home to the largest hotel in the country. As the years passed, more hotels, casinos, and the world-famous Atlantic City boardwalk were built up and raved about. This continued on, and the rest has been history.
The famous board game "Monopoly" is based on Atlantic City, NJ. The street names in the game represent the actual street names in the city. The game is now over 80 years old and was officially launched on March 19th, 1935, the year Parker Brothers acquired the rights to it. The boardwalk and its hotels are also featured, an iconic part of Atlantic City.
Photo Courtesy: [fir0002flagstaffotos/Wikimedia Commons]
Coming onto the market in the middle of The Great Depression, the board game was a way to give families something to do that did not cost much. With over a billion people playing the game, it has since become a staple and introduced many to the Atlantic City name.
Miss America is an annual pageant open to female contestants ages 17-25. The first Miss America was held in Atlantic City, NJ on September 8th, 1921. In 1919, a beauty pageant was held in the Chu Chin Chow Ball at the Hotel des Artistes in New York City. The winner of this pageant was called "Miss America". Neither the pageant nor the title were related to the current Miss America, which ended up developing a year later in Atlantic City.
Photo Courtesy: [iirraa/Flickr]
Originally, the pageant was developed to bring business to the city's famous boardwalk. A parade to celebrate Miss America was also held on the boardwalk, which would include contestants and flashy floats. Tourists from all over the country would book a stay to attend, bringing the city a lot of revenue. Although Miss America is said to be moving locations this year, Atlantic City will always be known as its original home.
Prohibition went into effect in the United States on January 17th, 1920. While the majority of the country was hiding their alcohol and breaking the law in secret, Atlantic City planned to make the most of the situation. The city made it clear that they were open for business of any kind.
Photo Courtesy: [Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons]
This was due to the work of Enoch “Nucky” Johnson. Johnson made Atlantic City his personal empire and sparked one of the biggest organized crime movements in history. The movement spread throughout Atlantic City and was a big way to keep alcohol in the city, despite the laws of prohibition.
"Foreign Affairs Magazine" has said that Nucky Johnson was a local corrupt politician who made Atlantic City into a town consisting of illegal alcohol sales, gambling, and prostitution. He was the boss of the Atlantic City Republican Committee, where he gained his power. This allowed Johnson to have control of the governments of both Atlantic City and Atlantic County.
Photo Courtesy: [Brinks38200/Wikimedia Commons]
The salary for this job paid $6,000 per year, however, because of his connections to bootleggers, brothels, and casinos, he averaged about $500,000 per year, which is equal to $10 million today. Johnson had a strict no-violence policy, so no one within the town or from others stepped on each other's toes. This allowed police to stay away from the city and its organized crime and the business that ensued. If arrests were carried out, they were done with the approval of Johnson.
In May of 1929, mob bosses decided to gather to talk business and pleasure. They would go over the new world they envisioned and plans of action to get there. Salvatore "Lucky" Luciano of New York was one of the facilitators of this meeting. Other mob bosses included Al Capone and Meyer Lansky, a Jewish-American mob financier. Lansky would later go on to become the most financially successful organized crime member in history.
Photo Courtesy: [Remo Nassi/Wikimedia Commons]
Lansky chose Atlantic City as the ideal place to hold this meeting. The Atlantic City Conference was the height of Nucky Johnson's power. Although he was not a mob boss and did not have his own underground crew, he had unparalleled political power and say. As the conference was taking place in his city, he became a central figure in the organized crime movement.
Atlantic City has been featured in many films and television series throughout the years, but one of the most well-known ones would be HBO's "Boardwalk Empire". The show is about the rise of the mafia in Atlantic City and its organized crime. Steve Buscemi played Nucky Johnson, named "Nucky Thompson" for the show.
Photo Courtesy: [U.S. National Archive/Wikimedia Commons]
Prohibition and bootlegging were the main topics for the HBO series. The mayor of Atlantic City knew that experimenting with the violation of prohibition could mean a fortune for men like him. The show ran for five seasons with a total of 56 episodes and was based on actual events.
While the Atlantic City boardwalk has upgraded and expanded over the years, its original purpose may be quite surprising. The boardwalk was actually first put in place to stop visitors from bringing sand into hotel lobbies. The boards were meant to serve as a seasonal, temporary structure only.
Photo Courtesy: [Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons]
As the city became more developed, officials realized they could boost profits by making the boardwalk a big part of the city's entertainment and decided to make it permanent. Today, it has evolved into the famous experience that we know and love.
Resorts Hotel And Casino was the first casino to open in Atlantic City on May 26th, 1978. Outside of Nevada, Resorts Hotel And Casino was the first legal casino in the United States. In 2004, the resort completed an expansion that added the 27-story Rendezvous Tower. In 2011, Resorts underwent a remodel that converted it into a "Roaring 20's" theme.
Photo Courtesy: [John Margolies/Wikimedia Commons]
Resorts International was founded in March 1968 and first became interested in developing after learning of an attempt to bring casino gambling to New Jersey, if it was limited to Atlantic City. The company played a big role when it came to the 1976 gaming referendum, which passed that year.
New Jersey saw adding legal casinos and gambling to Atlantic City as a way of increasing tax revenue, jobs, and tourism. However, many residents were worried about the potential downsides of such a change. At the time, Nevada was the only U.S. state that legalized gambling. In a 1974 referendum, more than 60% of New Jersey voters voted against doing the same.
Photo Courtesy: [pixabay.com/Snappy Goat]
Those who opposed were worried about the potential of mafia organizations infiltrating the industry and causing an increase in crime. They felt the state may become corrupt and residents would be exploited. While the initial referendum failed, many Atlantic City locals still felt that casinos were the answer to having a more prosperous town. They introduced a modified referendum that would allow for gambling within the borders of Atlantic City only.
The MGM Mirage Company partnered with Boyd Gaming to construct the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. The Borgata, for short, opened in July of 2003. The casino reflected the style of Las Vegas and was the first of its kind in the city for many reasons.
Photo Courtesy: [Pilotbob/Wikimedia Commons]
While other Atlantic City casinos focused on packing as many slot machines as they could onto the casino floor, Borgata opened with 200 table games and a 34-table poker room. On top of that, Borgata included a chic nightlife scene with upscale modern dining that Atlantic City had never seen before. Borgata was at the forefront of the boom of the poker scene at that time. It really took off when amateur player Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event. Borgata hosted a series of televised World Poker Tour events and expanded its poker room from 34 tables to 85. The casino went on to brand itself as the premier poker destination just a few years after opening.
The nightclub scene was huge through the 1930s-1960s. On the south side, there were mainly white neighborhoods and clubs included the 500 Club, the Clicquot Club, and the Jockey Club. In the north of the racially segregated city, both African Americans and whites attended clubs that included Wonder Gardens, Club Harlem, the Paradise Club, and Grace's Little Belmont. These were all within the black entertainment district on Kentucky Avenue.
Photo Courtesy: [kpr2/Wikimedia Commons]
In the summer tourist season, jazz and R&B music played all night and could be heard into the early hours of the morning. Kentucky Avenue was lined with soul food restaurants and rib joints, some of which included Jerry's and Sap's and Wash's Restaurant.
After World War II, Atlantic City suffered from corruption, poverty, crime, and general economic decline. In the mid to late 20th century, negative changes were taking effect in the city. To start, vehicles became more readily available to Americans after the war. Prior to this time, the city relied on visitors coming in by train and staying for a couple of weeks. Now that a lot of people had an automobile, they were able to come and go as they pleased. Some visitors now only stayed for a few days rather than a few weeks.
Photo Courtesy: [Acroterion/Wikimedia Commons]
The advent of suburbia had an impact as well. With many Americans gaining access to luxuries at home, such as swimming pools and air conditioning, a lot lost interest in traveling to the beach resorts. Cheap jet airline services also allowed people to travel further, to places like Florida or the Bahamas. Eventually, many original resorts shut down with only a few remaining. The conversion of older buildings to new ones, for example, the construction of The Tropicana, would later cause a resurgence of the city and bring back prosperity.
The Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector, also referred to as the Atlantic City Expressway Connector, is a freeway connector stretching 2.3 miles long that connects the Atlantic City Expressway to Route 87, leading into Brigantine via the Marina district of Atlantic City. A tunnel is included in its route that passes under the Westside neighborhood.
Photo Courtesy: [Famartin/Wikimedia Commons]
Proposals for this type of connecting roadway date back to 1964. In 1995, businessman Steve Wynn proposed a casino in Atlantic City's Marina district. Overall, the goals of this tunnel were to reduce traffic and give people an easier route to both Brigantine and the Marina district. There was a lot of opposition, though, including a lawsuit from casino owner Donald Trump to prevent its construction as well as residents who would have their homes destroyed because they were within the route. However, it was eventually approved for the tunnel. The cost was $330 million and construction took about three years. The tunnel officially opened for use in 2001.
By 1990, real-estate developer Donald Trump-owned three of Atlantic City’s twelve casino properties. They included Trump Plaza, Trump Castle, and the Trump Taj Mahal, the newest addition. The Taj Mahal reportedly cost $1 billion to build and at the time was New Jersey's tallest building and the biggest casino in the world. Trump wanted to increase tourism, so his casinos started hosting various entertainment shows.
Photo Courtesy: [Tom in NYC/Wikimedia Commons]
Trump promoted major boxing and wrestling matches as well as the epic WrestleMania events. He brought four Mike Tyson fights to the city, too. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission Annual Report said that casino revenues continued to steadily rise in the 1990s, going from $2.95 billion in 1990 to $4.2 billion in 2000.
On December 5th, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt repealed Prohibition. While Atlantic City had a future looking brighter than ever, this move caused some trouble in paradise. With alcohol readily accessible anywhere in the country, Atlantic City lost some of its appeal as people no longer needed to travel there for alcohol sales.
Photo Courtesy: [Tennessee Valley Authority/Wikimedia Commons]
Not only did this put a dent in the operations of organized crime, but it also had a permanent negative impact on Nucky Johnson’s boardwalk empire. The Great Depression that followed further hurt the city, as unemployment was at nearly 25%. Americans now had other things to worry about aside from traveling to Atlantic City.
As the city's fortunes fell, so did Nucky Johnson's. He entered into a feud with newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Heart allegedly encouraged the Roosevelt administration to look into Johnson's activities.
Photo Courtesy: [Andrew Bardwell from Cleveland, Ohio, USA/Wikimedia Commons]
Johnson was indicted for evading taxes in 1939 and put on trial in 1941. He was found guilty and sentenced to ten years in federal prison, and served four of those years. Later in 1968, Nucky Johnson died in an Atlantic County nursing home.
The Democratic National Convention of 1964 took place in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall, the Convention Hall, from August 24th-27th. President Lyndon B. Johnson was nominated for a full term and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota was nominated for Vice President. This convention was held less than a year after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Texas.
Photo Courtesy: [Related names:Lockwood and GreeneMadrid/Wikimedia Commons]
Kennedy's brother Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy showed a short film to honor his brother's memory on the last day of the convention. Delegates erupted into 22 minutes of non-stop applause after Kennedy took the stage, making him nearly break into tears.
While we may not know exactly who invented the saltwater taffy, it's safe to say Atlantic City made the candy famous and gave it its famous name. In 1884, Atlantic City native Joseph Fralinger took over a taffy stand on the boardwalk. It took off in years to come, and by 1899 salt water taffy had become a household favorite.
Photo Courtesy: [Eric Schmuttenmaer from Downers Grove, USA/Wikimedia Commons]
Today, Fralinger's is still on the boardwalk near Bally's Hotel and Casino. It pulls 11,000 pounds of candy every day and continues to bring in both locals and tourists. Saltwater taffy can now be found on other boardwalks in New Jersey, too.
Dedicated in 1929, Atlantic City's Convention Hall was the largest auditorium in the world that did not have supports or columns. Promoters started encouraging the construction of a convention hall as early as 1910, in order to conduct meetings and events, as well as to bring more tourism to the city. In 1923 the city held a referendum to authorize the purchase of the property, and construction began shortly after.
Photo Courtesy: [Related names:Lockwood and GreeneMadrid/Wikimedia Commons]
The project cost $15 million total, which is equal to $225 million today. The Vice President of the United States at the time, Charles H. Curtis, attended the dedication. Convention Hall took up an entire city block and could seat 40,000 spectators. Today, Convention Hall is more commonly known as Boardwalk Hall.
Originally named "Elephant Bazaar", Lucy The Elephant is a six-story example of novelty architecture. Lucy was built in 1881 by James V. Lafferty in Margate City, just five miles south of Atlantic City. The structure is a common tourist attraction for those traveling to Atlantic City since the towns are so close to each other.
Photo Courtesy: [Acroterion/Wikimedia Commons]
Lucy The Elephant was originally built to attract tourists and boost real estate sales. Today, visitors are able to purchase tickets and take a tour inside. Currently, Lucy is the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in the United States.
Atlantic City's Steel Pier used to feature what was called "Horse Diving". Horses and their riders would dive down 40 feet into a 12-foot pool of water. Crowds would gather to watch in astonishment. While this does sound inhumane to the horses, there are no reported records of injury to any animals.
Photo Courtesy: [Make Lemons/Wikimedia Commons]
There was one incident, however, where a rider reportedly went into the pool of water with her eyes open and was blinded from the hard impact. A movie was made called "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken" that is based on her story.
Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City is home to the world's largest organ, as measured by the number of pipes. The official reported number is 33,112, but the exact number is unknown. Because of the hall's large size and tall ceilings, the organ runs on higher wind pressures than usual in order to maintain a volume that fills the entire hall. The organ has four entrees in "The Guinness Book of World Records".
Photo Courtesy: [Farragutful/Wikimedia Commons]
Construction of the organ began in May of 1929 and ended in December of 1932. It was built by the Midmer-Losh Organ Company of Merrick, New York, and was designed by then-state senator Emerson Lewis Richards.
The Atlantic City boardwalk was the first to be built in America. As mentioned, it was originally put in place to be a seasonal structure that kept guests from tracking sand into hotel lobbies. It started out as only eight-foot-wide and one mile long.
Photo Courtesy: [Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons]
Half of the city's tax revenue paid for the boardwalk and it cost about $5,000 at the time. In the years since the city decided to make the boardwalk a permanent part of the city and it has been widely expanded. Today, the boardwalk hosts an array of entertainment and is an iconic summer tourist destination.
White House Subs is a famous sandwich shop located on Arctic Ave. The shop has been in business since 1946 and has become a staple of the city. The walls are covered with photos of famous faces that have come in for a bite to eat.
Photo Courtesy: [Paul Lowry/Flickr]
One of the most famous, and maybe a little bizarre, pieces of memorabilia would be a pink towel that Frank Sinatra used to wipe his brow during his final show in Atlantic City.
Bruce Springsteen released a song called "Atlantic City" on his 1982 solo album "Nebraska", which he has also performed in a full band arrangement at his concerts. The New Jersey native sings about a young couple's escape to Atlantic City. The song talks about the man's inevitable death due to his involvement with organized crime within the city.
Photo Courtesy: [Bill Ebbesen/Wikimedia Commons]
In April of 1981, Springsteen recorded two demos of the song at his home in Colt's Neck, New Jersey. The song was originally titled "Fist Full Of Dollars", from the Cint Eastwood movie titled the same. Later in 1981, he recorded another demo of the song and changed the name to its permanent one, "Atlantic City".
The Trump Taj Mahal was one of the original Atlantic City casinos, as well as one of the largest in the world. On October 10th, 2016, the casino closed its doors for good and was set to become something new. On June 27th, 2018, the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was opened in the same building the Taj Mahal previously occupied.
Photo Courtesy: [Farragutful/Wikimedia Commons]
Although some were sad to see an old classic close up, the new modern Hard Rock became an instant hit. Amenities include a casino, nightclubs, upscale restaurants and shops, and a theater. A fan favorite would also be a restaurant called "Sugar Factory" where guests can enjoy specialty candy-themed drinks and treats.
James Leroy Usry was a Georgia native who graduated from Glassboro State University, now Rowan University, with his master's degree in 1971. He would go on to become Atlantic City's first African American mayor from 1984-1990. Prior to his election, he was an educator in the Atlantic City School District where he served as superintendent.
Photo Courtesy: [Wasted Time R at English Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons]
Usry was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on March 20th, 1987 to serve a two-year term on the National Advisory Council on Educational Research and Improvement. Ursy died in Absecon, New Jersey in 2002 at the age of 79.
In April 2006, Wall Street investment giant Morgan Stanley purchased the South Inlet property near the Showboat Casino for $70 million. He selected Revel Entertainment Group to help develop and operate a casino that was planned to be built on the 20-acre oceanfront property. It was planned to be one of the largest casinos in the city, both size-wise and income-wise. The modern design and chic nightlife was sure to attract young and wealthy patrons.
Photo Courtesy: [Highsmith, Carol M/Wikimedia Commons]
Fast forward to March 2nd, 2011, and Morgan Stanley sells his share of Revel for $30 million after a $1.2 billion dollar loss. The loss was followed by the death of three executives of Revel Entertainment and its builder, Tishman Construction due to a plane crash. Other financial issues rose along the way, as well. However, Revel did end up opening it to the public on April 2nd, 2012 where it remained open for two years. After losing money and filing for bankruptcy, the hotel had to close its doors and was replaced by the Ocean Casino Resort.
The Jitney was one of Atlantic City's earliest busses to get visitors around the city. The word "jitney" is a slang term for nickel, which is what it cost to ride in 1915. Although the price has increased over the years, its name stuck and you can still ride the famous bus today.
Photo Courtesy: [Adam E. Moreira/Wikimedia Commons]
The first jitneys in Atlantic City can be dated back to March of 1915 and resembled regular cars. As the years have passed, there have been at least eight different designs and at least four different colors. In 1997, the current version was released and it is a thirteen-passenger light-blue mini-bus. Champion Motor Coach is the manufacturer.
The Tanger Outlets were opened in August of 2003 and featured 109 stores. This open-air outlet mall is the only outlet mall in Atlantic County. Spanning nine city blocks, the outlets feature a unique layout and experience.
Photo Courtesy: [Андрей Бобровский/Wikimedia Commons]
The Atlantic City Bus Terminal was home to the original phase of the Tanger Outlets, where Polo Ralph Lauren was one of the first shops. The "Corridor Project" consisted of the center's first two expansions. Over the years, multiple expansions were added on and many shops came and went. Today, the outlets are still open to the public.
Boardwalk Hall, then known as Convention Hall, was used as a World War II U.S. Army training facility. AtlanticCityNJ.com stated, “Squads of armed forces could be seen marching up and down the boards. Mock beachfront invasions and war bond rallies were common as well.”
Photo Courtesy: [Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons]
The location was ideal due to its large size and room for multiple troops. Out of fear that German submarines were watching along the coastline, the boardwalk lamps were shaded.
On October 29th, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey. The coastlines were the most damaged, primarily in the central and north regions of the state. However, the south coasts were hit hard as well and the storm caused a lot of damage. During this time, Atlantic City was struggling with its economy, and rumors of the storm damage hurt the tourism industry even more.
Photo Courtesy: [NOAA National Weather Service/Wikimedia Commons]
Hurricane Sandy hit Atlantic City hard. Parts of the boardwalk were destroyed and there was rubble and debris all over the streets. Power lines had fallen, buildings were damaged, and the streets were flooded. Eventually, the city recovered from the physical damage. The financial struggles, though, lingered and negatively impacted the city's stability.
The famous rolling chairs were introduced to the Atlantic City boardwalk on June 11th, 1887. The chairs were fashioned after wheelchairs and were the only vehicles allowed on the boardwalk. They were to be used only by individuals who could not walk. Their use was then opened up to the public after able-bodied people started to pretend they could not walk.
Photo Courtesy: [Unknown author/Wikimedia Commons]
Eventually, using the rolling chairs to be pushed down the boardwalk became very chic. People would dress to the nines before going for a ride on the chairs. The rolling chairs would go on to become the preferred method of transportation. Today, the rolling chairs are still available to the public and it is considered common courtesy to tip those pushing the chairs.
The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre took place on February 14th, 1929. The world was shocked to learn about the gang violence that erupted on Chicago’s North Side. Seven men who were associated with the Irish gangster George “Bugs” Moran were murdered. The Irish gangster was one of Al Capone's longtime enemies, and Capone was out to eliminate any rivals he had in the world of bootlegging, gambling, and prostitution.
Photo Courtesy: [United States Bureau of Prisons/Wikimedia Commons]
Some say that the 1929 Atlantic City Conference mob meeting was to address the massacres at a place where they could meet safely. The meeting took place just a few months after the tragic event that occurred on Valentine's Day.
The Steel Pier holds Atlantic City's famous amusement park and was originally 1,000-foot-long. It is currently located across from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, formerly the Trump Taj Mahal. The Steel Pier Company built the pier and was opened on June 18th, 1898. A storm washed away part of the pier in 1904, but it has since been rebuilt, despite the doubts of many engineers that it could be repaired.
Photo Courtesy: [Tuck/Wikimedia Commons]
The Steel Pier suffered damage from a fire in 1924. The following year, Frank Gravatt purchased the pier and renovated it. The pier went on to hold dance bands, three movie theaters, operas, children's shows, and more. From 1935 through 1938, Miss America was crowned at The Steel Pier. The pier is still going strong today, with multiple amusement rides and games for guests to enjoy.
The Atlantic City Beach Patrol, ACBP for short, is the oldest, operational lifeguard organization in America. City Council appointed William Cazier in 1855 to the position of “Constable of the Surf.” Due to the increased tourism and growing popularity of the Atlantic City beaches, the patrol expanded. By 1872, the organization had more than twenty volunteer lifeguards on its staff.
Photo Courtesy: [ChildofMidnight at English Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons]
On June 12th, 1892, the patrol was fully incorporated which allowed them to join the city payroll. Jim Jeffries and Nick Headley were amongst the first lifeguards to be paid for their work. It was also common for the first lifeguards to serve in the police force as well.
The historic Absecon lighthouse was in service from 1857 to 1933. It is located on the north end of Atlantic City and overlooks the Absecon Inlet. Standing at 171 feet, it is the tallest lighthouse in the state of New Jersey and the third-tallest masonry lighthouse in America. Construction began in 1854 and on January 15th, 1857, the first light was lit.
Photo Courtesy: [Harriet Duncan/Wikimedia Commons]
The lighthouse was deactivated in 1933. However, the light still shines through each night and its location has now been named a historical site. So, although it no longer acts as a navigational aid, tourists can visit the site.
The Ocean Casino Resort is formerly known as Revel Casino Hotel. When Revel closed down after just about two years of operation, Ocean Casino Resort took its place and opened on June 27th, 2018. The theme is a sleek, underwater environment and is one of the more modern casinos within the city.
Photo Courtesy: [Chris6d/Wikimedia Commons]
Some of the main attractions in the casino include the burlesque club "Ivan Kane's Royal Jelly Burlesque", pool day club "HQ2", and concert and events venue "Ovation Hall". There are 1,399 rooms total and 130,000 square feet of gaming space. Ocean Hotel Casino is a modern part of the city's history, because of how much it is changing the scene. It is currently the furthest north casino located on the boardwalk.
The Quarter at the Tropicana changed the history of the city forever. It is truly one of a kind, and it launched with over 40 retail stores, nine restaurants, a spa, and eleven nightclubs. It is Old Havana-themed and gives visitors an almost tropical feel.
Photo Courtesy: [Jcjh20/Wikimedia Commons]
Along with the construction of this enclosed shopping mall, Tropicana added a 502-room hotel expansion tower. While other casinos may have been struggling at the time, Tropicana saw an opportunity for expansion and to bring life to the city. The total construction cost was $280 million and it opened in 2004. Tropicana added more shops into the Quarter in 2015, and it has been going strong ever since.
While Atlantic City is primarily known for its casinos and entertainment, there is a tucked-away treasure located on Pacific Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard. The Civil Rights Garden was created in 2001 and pays honors to individuals heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
Photo Courtesy: [Nobel Foundation/Wikimedia Commons]
The project cost $2 million to make and it includes eleven black African granite columns on a winding path through the garden. The path represents the journey from slavery to equality. There is also a reflecting pool with a large bronze bell in the center. When the bell is rung, it creates ripples in the water that represent the growing civil-rights movement.
Stockton University is a public university located in Galloway Township, New Jersey. It is named after Richard Stockton who was one of New Jersey's signers of the Declaration of Independence. The university was founded in 1969, and in 1971 accepted its charter class. Upon its 1971 opening, classes were held at Atlantic City's Mayflower Hotel. Later that year, the Galloway campus began operating.
Photo Courtesy: [Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons]
The newest addition to the university is its Atlantic City campus, located at the Boardwalk and Albany Avenue. The Atlantic City location opened in the fall of 2018 and was built on the former site of Atlantic City High School. At the time of its opening, more than 500 residential students were enrolled and more than 1,500 were taking classes.
This World War I memorial is located just as you enter Atlantic City from its neighboring town, Ventnor City. It was constructed in 1922 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places years later on August 28th, 1981. A 9-foot bronze statue titled "Liberty In Distress" is located in the center of the memorial.
Photo Courtesy: [Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons]
Also inside, there are four medallions that represent the Army, Navy, Marines, and Aviation. Inscribed upon the architrave, are the names of the battles in which Atlantic City soldiers fought.
Atlantic City is home to the historical New Jersey Korean War Memorial. Located at Park Place and the Boardwalk, it was first dedicated to ensuring that future generations remember those who fought and served.
Photo Courtesy: [Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons]
A 12-foot statue of a grieving soldier clutching his dog tags is featured at the memorial. Just to his left, a group of soldiers under fire are shown. On the back of the memorial wall and beneath an eternal flame, are the names of the 822 New Jersey soldiers who died during the war. It continues to honor veterans today.
ForbesTraveler.com ranked Atlantic City in their Top Ten Golf Cities in America list. Atlantic City is one of the East Coast's top golf destinations, with many big-name golf courses in the area. There are numerous championship-caliber courses nearby for both novice and advanced golfers.
Photo Courtesy: [Golf Swing/Wikimedia Commons]
Some of the surrounding golf courses were designed by the top golf consultants in the country. Big-name courses include Atlantic City Country Club, Ballamor Golf Club, Blue Heron Pines, Twisted Dunes and Shore Gate Golf Club, and many more.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Atlantic City Boardwalk was frequented by big-name celebrities. Although the war hurt the city financially, celebrities still visited, keeping the city a tourist favorite.
Photo Courtesy: [Ed Feingersh/Wikimedia Commons]
According to AtlanticCityNJ.com, those who visited the boardwalk included Ed Sullivan, Joe DiMaggio, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Bing Crosby, Milton Berle, and Dean Martin. The Beatle's ate the city's world-famous White House Subs on the boardwalk.
In 1870, the first official road from the mainland to Absecon Island, now Atlantic City, was completed. Construction took 17 years. The road had a $.30 toll and ran from Pleasantville, a nearby town. However, due to the new hotels and increased interest in traveling to the beach resort, one main road was no longer efficient.
Photo Courtesy: [Jack Delano/Wikimedia Commons]
By 1878, it was clear more transportation was needed. To accommodate the increase in visitors, the Narrow Gauge Line to Philadelphia was constructed. This allowed for more hotels to operate and prosper, as well as other city businesses.
Dr. Martin A. Couney was born in Germany sometime around 1870. He was a pediatrician who invented the modern-day infant incubator. Premature birth was one of the biggest causes of infant mortality in the early 20th century, and in 1925 36% of infant deaths were caused by premature birth. Dr. Couney himself had a premature daughter, and she lived into adulthood under his care. Some medical professionals were skeptical of his invention of the incubator and they doubted if it would really work.
Photo Courtesy: [PublicDomainPictures/Wikimedia Commons]
The doctor wanted to bring awareness to the tragedies of premature birth. To do so, he felt the public being exposed to the issue would open their eyes and educate them. He set up baby incubator attractions at big tourist sites, one of the locations being on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Visitors could pay a small fee to enter the attraction and receive information on premature birth, while also witnessing the treatments they would get and, in most cases, grow to be healthy babies. As word of mouth got around, many parents of premature babies reached out to Dr. Couney for help. He accepted patients at no charge and is said to have been able to rehabilitate about 90% of the infants that were placed in his care.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a museum located on the Atlantic City Boardwalk that is based on the show with the same name. True to their motto, "truth is stranger than fiction" visitors can see an array of bizarre displays that are based on real events. The museum draws the attention of tourists and locals alike and has been a staple of the city for many years.
Photo Courtesy: [W. Reichmann/Wikimedia Commons]
Visitors can explore 14 galleries in this 12,000 square foot oddities museum. Ripley's adds to the novelty of the famous boardwalk and is located in a convenient location in the center of the main casino area. The Ripley's museum is one of the many great attractions that helps the legacy of Atlantic City continue to live on today.
Photo Courtesy: [Edward Mason Eggleston/Wikimedia Commons]
Historical Facts About Atlantic City, NJ
Atlantic City's Most Interesting Historical Facts And Sites
Historical Facts That Helped Shape Atlantic City, NJ
Atlantic City's Historical Sites And Fun Facts
Fun Facts About Atlantic City, NJ And Its Historical Sites
49 Interesting Historical Facts About Atlantic City, NJ
All About The Historic Atlantic City, NJ And Its Attractions
Historical Occurrences In Atlantic City, NJ
Interesting Facts About The History Of Atlantic City, NJ
The History Of Atlantic City, NJ And Its Sites
Atlantic City, NJ was founded May 1st, 1854, and has been a favorite American destination ever since. Situated on the East Coast, it is home to a bustling boardwalk and famous Jersey shore beaches. Atlantic City is known for many things, but among the most popular would be its casinos. From The Borgata to Harrah's, to Bally's, there's always something fun to get into!
We'll take a look at some historical facts about Atlantic City and dive into how it became what we know and love today. So, get ready for some entertainment! You're in for a show-stopping experience.
Origins
Developers of the mid-1800s took notice of an area with beautiful beaches and a great location. They knew they had a potential gold mine in their hands if they could turn the area into a resort city. The primary sources of funding would be from tourism and vacationing. This town would go on to become the famous Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Photo Courtesy: [Photographer not credited/Wikimedia Commons]
A railroad infrastructure was put in place between 1854, when the city was incorporated, and 1857. This connected highly populated regions like Philadelphia to Absecon Island, where Atlantic City was developed. At one point in time, the city was home to the largest hotel in the country. As the years passed, more hotels, casinos, and the world-famous Atlantic City boardwalk were built up and raved about. This continued on, and the rest has been history.
Monopoly
The famous board game "Monopoly" is based on Atlantic City, NJ. The street names in the game represent the actual street names in the city. The game is now over 80 years old and was officially launched on March 19th, 1935, the year Parker Brothers acquired the rights to it. The boardwalk and its hotels are also featured, an iconic part of Atlantic City.
Photo Courtesy: [fir0002flagstaffotos/Wikimedia Commons]
Coming onto the market in the middle of The Great Depression, the board game was a way to give families something to do that did not cost much. With over a billion people playing the game, it has since become a staple and introduced many to the Atlantic City name.
Home Of Miss America
Miss America is an annual pageant open to female contestants ages 17-25. The first Miss America was held in Atlantic City, NJ on September 8th, 1921. In 1919, a beauty pageant was held in the Chu Chin Chow Ball at the Hotel des Artistes in New York City. The winner of this pageant was called "Miss America". Neither the pageant nor the title were related to the current Miss America, which ended up developing a year later in Atlantic City.
Photo Courtesy: [iirraa/Flickr]
Originally, the pageant was developed to bring business to the city's famous boardwalk. A parade to celebrate Miss America was also held on the boardwalk, which would include contestants and flashy floats. Tourists from all over the country would book a stay to attend, bringing the city a lot of revenue. Although Miss America is said to be moving locations this year, Atlantic City will always be known as its original home.
Atlantic City And Prohibition
Prohibition went into effect in the United States on January 17th, 1920. While the majority of the country was hiding their alcohol and breaking the law in secret, Atlantic City planned to make the most of the situation. The city made it clear that they were open for business of any kind.
Photo Courtesy: [Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons]
This was due to the work of Enoch “Nucky” Johnson. Johnson made Atlantic City his personal empire and sparked one of the biggest organized crime movements in history. The movement spread throughout Atlantic City and was a big way to keep alcohol in the city, despite the laws of prohibition.
Nucky Johnson's Atlantic City Ties
"Foreign Affairs Magazine" has said that Nucky Johnson was a local corrupt politician who made Atlantic City into a town consisting of illegal alcohol sales, gambling, and prostitution. He was the boss of the Atlantic City Republican Committee, where he gained his power. This allowed Johnson to have control of the governments of both Atlantic City and Atlantic County.
Photo Courtesy: [Brinks38200/Wikimedia Commons]
The salary for this job paid $6,000 per year, however, because of his connections to bootleggers, brothels, and casinos, he averaged about $500,000 per year, which is equal to $10 million today. Johnson had a strict no-violence policy, so no one within the town or from others stepped on each other's toes. This allowed police to stay away from the city and its organized crime and the business that ensued. If arrests were carried out, they were done with the approval of Johnson.
The Atlantic City Conference
In May of 1929, mob bosses decided to gather to talk business and pleasure. They would go over the new world they envisioned and plans of action to get there. Salvatore "Lucky" Luciano of New York was one of the facilitators of this meeting. Other mob bosses included Al Capone and Meyer Lansky, a Jewish-American mob financier. Lansky would later go on to become the most financially successful organized crime member in history.
Photo Courtesy: [Remo Nassi/Wikimedia Commons]
Lansky chose Atlantic City as the ideal place to hold this meeting. The Atlantic City Conference was the height of Nucky Johnson's power. Although he was not a mob boss and did not have his own underground crew, he had unparalleled political power and say. As the conference was taking place in his city, he became a central figure in the organized crime movement.
HBO'S Boardwalk Empire
Atlantic City has been featured in many films and television series throughout the years, but one of the most well-known ones would be HBO's "Boardwalk Empire". The show is about the rise of the mafia in Atlantic City and its organized crime. Steve Buscemi played Nucky Johnson, named "Nucky Thompson" for the show.
Photo Courtesy: [U.S. National Archive/Wikimedia Commons]
Prohibition and bootlegging were the main topics for the HBO series. The mayor of Atlantic City knew that experimenting with the violation of prohibition could mean a fortune for men like him. The show ran for five seasons with a total of 56 episodes and was based on actual events.
Original Purpose Of The Boardwalk
While the Atlantic City boardwalk has upgraded and expanded over the years, its original purpose may be quite surprising. The boardwalk was actually first put in place to stop visitors from bringing sand into hotel lobbies. The boards were meant to serve as a seasonal, temporary structure only.
Photo Courtesy: [Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons]
As the city became more developed, officials realized they could boost profits by making the boardwalk a big part of the city's entertainment and decided to make it permanent. Today, it has evolved into the famous experience that we know and love.
The First Casino
Resorts Hotel And Casino was the first casino to open in Atlantic City on May 26th, 1978. Outside of Nevada, Resorts Hotel And Casino was the first legal casino in the United States. In 2004, the resort completed an expansion that added the 27-story Rendezvous Tower. In 2011, Resorts underwent a remodel that converted it into a "Roaring 20's" theme.
Photo Courtesy: [John Margolies/Wikimedia Commons]
Resorts International was founded in March 1968 and first became interested in developing after learning of an attempt to bring casino gambling to New Jersey, if it was limited to Atlantic City. The company played a big role when it came to the 1976 gaming referendum, which passed that year.
Opposition To Gambling
New Jersey saw adding legal casinos and gambling to Atlantic City as a way of increasing tax revenue, jobs, and tourism. However, many residents were worried about the potential downsides of such a change. At the time, Nevada was the only U.S. state that legalized gambling. In a 1974 referendum, more than 60% of New Jersey voters voted against doing the same.
Photo Courtesy: [pixabay.com/Snappy Goat]
Those who opposed were worried about the potential of mafia organizations infiltrating the industry and causing an increase in crime. They felt the state may become corrupt and residents would be exploited. While the initial referendum failed, many Atlantic City locals still felt that casinos were the answer to having a more prosperous town. They introduced a modified referendum that would allow for gambling within the borders of Atlantic City only.
Las Vegas Glam In Atlantic City
The MGM Mirage Company partnered with Boyd Gaming to construct the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. The Borgata, for short, opened in July of 2003. The casino reflected the style of Las Vegas and was the first of its kind in the city for many reasons.
Photo Courtesy: [Pilotbob/Wikimedia Commons]
While other Atlantic City casinos focused on packing as many slot machines as they could onto the casino floor, Borgata opened with 200 table games and a 34-table poker room. On top of that, Borgata included a chic nightlife scene with upscale modern dining that Atlantic City had never seen before. Borgata was at the forefront of the boom of the poker scene at that time. It really took off when amateur player Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event. Borgata hosted a series of televised World Poker Tour events and expanded its poker room from 34 tables to 85. The casino went on to brand itself as the premier poker destination just a few years after opening.
The Nightclub Era
The nightclub scene was huge through the 1930s-1960s. On the south side, there were mainly white neighborhoods and clubs included the 500 Club, the Clicquot Club, and the Jockey Club. In the north of the racially segregated city, both African Americans and whites attended clubs that included Wonder Gardens, Club Harlem, the Paradise Club, and Grace's Little Belmont. These were all within the black entertainment district on Kentucky Avenue.
Photo Courtesy: [kpr2/Wikimedia Commons]
In the summer tourist season, jazz and R&B music played all night and could be heard into the early hours of the morning. Kentucky Avenue was lined with soul food restaurants and rib joints, some of which included Jerry's and Sap's and Wash's Restaurant.
Crime And Decline
After World War II, Atlantic City suffered from corruption, poverty, crime, and general economic decline. In the mid to late 20th century, negative changes were taking effect in the city. To start, vehicles became more readily available to Americans after the war. Prior to this time, the city relied on visitors coming in by train and staying for a couple of weeks. Now that a lot of people had an automobile, they were able to come and go as they pleased. Some visitors now only stayed for a few days rather than a few weeks.
Photo Courtesy: [Acroterion/Wikimedia Commons]
The advent of suburbia had an impact as well. With many Americans gaining access to luxuries at home, such as swimming pools and air conditioning, a lot lost interest in traveling to the beach resorts. Cheap jet airline services also allowed people to travel further, to places like Florida or the Bahamas. Eventually, many original resorts shut down with only a few remaining. The conversion of older buildings to new ones, for example, the construction of The Tropicana, would later cause a resurgence of the city and bring back prosperity.
Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector
The Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector, also referred to as the Atlantic City Expressway Connector, is a freeway connector stretching 2.3 miles long that connects the Atlantic City Expressway to Route 87, leading into Brigantine via the Marina district of Atlantic City. A tunnel is included in its route that passes under the Westside neighborhood.
Photo Courtesy: [Famartin/Wikimedia Commons]
Proposals for this type of connecting roadway date back to 1964. In 1995, businessman Steve Wynn proposed a casino in Atlantic City's Marina district. Overall, the goals of this tunnel were to reduce traffic and give people an easier route to both Brigantine and the Marina district. There was a lot of opposition, though, including a lawsuit from casino owner Donald Trump to prevent its construction as well as residents who would have their homes destroyed because they were within the route. However, it was eventually approved for the tunnel. The cost was $330 million and construction took about three years. The tunnel officially opened for use in 2001.
The Trump Casinos
By 1990, real-estate developer Donald Trump-owned three of Atlantic City’s twelve casino properties. They included Trump Plaza, Trump Castle, and the Trump Taj Mahal, the newest addition. The Taj Mahal reportedly cost $1 billion to build and at the time was New Jersey's tallest building and the biggest casino in the world. Trump wanted to increase tourism, so his casinos started hosting various entertainment shows.
Photo Courtesy: [Tom in NYC/Wikimedia Commons]
Trump promoted major boxing and wrestling matches as well as the epic WrestleMania events. He brought four Mike Tyson fights to the city, too. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission Annual Report said that casino revenues continued to steadily rise in the 1990s, going from $2.95 billion in 1990 to $4.2 billion in 2000.
Repeal Day
On December 5th, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt repealed Prohibition. While Atlantic City had a future looking brighter than ever, this move caused some trouble in paradise. With alcohol readily accessible anywhere in the country, Atlantic City lost some of its appeal as people no longer needed to travel there for alcohol sales.
Photo Courtesy: [Tennessee Valley Authority/Wikimedia Commons]
Not only did this put a dent in the operations of organized crime, but it also had a permanent negative impact on Nucky Johnson’s boardwalk empire. The Great Depression that followed further hurt the city, as unemployment was at nearly 25%. Americans now had other things to worry about aside from traveling to Atlantic City.
Conviction Of Nucky Johnson
As the city's fortunes fell, so did Nucky Johnson's. He entered into a feud with newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. Heart allegedly encouraged the Roosevelt administration to look into Johnson's activities.
Photo Courtesy: [Andrew Bardwell from Cleveland, Ohio, USA/Wikimedia Commons]
Johnson was indicted for evading taxes in 1939 and put on trial in 1941. He was found guilty and sentenced to ten years in federal prison, and served four of those years. Later in 1968, Nucky Johnson died in an Atlantic County nursing home.
Atlantic City Holds The Democratic Convention
The Democratic National Convention of 1964 took place in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall, the Convention Hall, from August 24th-27th. President Lyndon B. Johnson was nominated for a full term and Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota was nominated for Vice President. This convention was held less than a year after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Texas.
Photo Courtesy: [Related names:Lockwood and GreeneMadrid/Wikimedia Commons]
Kennedy's brother Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy showed a short film to honor his brother's memory on the last day of the convention. Delegates erupted into 22 minutes of non-stop applause after Kennedy took the stage, making him nearly break into tears.
Salt Water Taffy
While we may not know exactly who invented the saltwater taffy, it's safe to say Atlantic City made the candy famous and gave it its famous name. In 1884, Atlantic City native Joseph Fralinger took over a taffy stand on the boardwalk. It took off in years to come, and by 1899 salt water taffy had become a household favorite.
Photo Courtesy: [Eric Schmuttenmaer from Downers Grove, USA/Wikimedia Commons]
Today, Fralinger's is still on the boardwalk near Bally's Hotel and Casino. It pulls 11,000 pounds of candy every day and continues to bring in both locals and tourists. Saltwater taffy can now be found on other boardwalks in New Jersey, too.
Convention Hall
Dedicated in 1929, Atlantic City's Convention Hall was the largest auditorium in the world that did not have supports or columns. Promoters started encouraging the construction of a convention hall as early as 1910, in order to conduct meetings and events, as well as to bring more tourism to the city. In 1923 the city held a referendum to authorize the purchase of the property, and construction began shortly after.
Photo Courtesy: [Related names:Lockwood and GreeneMadrid/Wikimedia Commons]
The project cost $15 million total, which is equal to $225 million today. The Vice President of the United States at the time, Charles H. Curtis, attended the dedication. Convention Hall took up an entire city block and could seat 40,000 spectators. Today, Convention Hall is more commonly known as Boardwalk Hall.
Lucy The Elephant
Originally named "Elephant Bazaar", Lucy The Elephant is a six-story example of novelty architecture. Lucy was built in 1881 by James V. Lafferty in Margate City, just five miles south of Atlantic City. The structure is a common tourist attraction for those traveling to Atlantic City since the towns are so close to each other.
Photo Courtesy: [Acroterion/Wikimedia Commons]
Lucy The Elephant was originally built to attract tourists and boost real estate sales. Today, visitors are able to purchase tickets and take a tour inside. Currently, Lucy is the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in the United States.
Horse Diving At The Steel Pier
Atlantic City's Steel Pier used to feature what was called "Horse Diving". Horses and their riders would dive down 40 feet into a 12-foot pool of water. Crowds would gather to watch in astonishment. While this does sound inhumane to the horses, there are no reported records of injury to any animals.
Photo Courtesy: [Make Lemons/Wikimedia Commons]
There was one incident, however, where a rider reportedly went into the pool of water with her eyes open and was blinded from the hard impact. A movie was made called "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken" that is based on her story.
Home To The Largest Organ
Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City is home to the world's largest organ, as measured by the number of pipes. The official reported number is 33,112, but the exact number is unknown. Because of the hall's large size and tall ceilings, the organ runs on higher wind pressures than usual in order to maintain a volume that fills the entire hall. The organ has four entrees in "The Guinness Book of World Records".
Photo Courtesy: [Farragutful/Wikimedia Commons]
Construction of the organ began in May of 1929 and ended in December of 1932. It was built by the Midmer-Losh Organ Company of Merrick, New York, and was designed by then-state senator Emerson Lewis Richards.
The First Boardwalk
The Atlantic City boardwalk was the first to be built in America. As mentioned, it was originally put in place to be a seasonal structure that kept guests from tracking sand into hotel lobbies. It started out as only eight-foot-wide and one mile long.
Photo Courtesy: [Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons]
Half of the city's tax revenue paid for the boardwalk and it cost about $5,000 at the time. In the years since the city decided to make the boardwalk a permanent part of the city and it has been widely expanded. Today, the boardwalk hosts an array of entertainment and is an iconic summer tourist destination.
White House Subs
White House Subs is a famous sandwich shop located on Arctic Ave. The shop has been in business since 1946 and has become a staple of the city. The walls are covered with photos of famous faces that have come in for a bite to eat.
Photo Courtesy: [Paul Lowry/Flickr]
One of the most famous, and maybe a little bizarre, pieces of memorabilia would be a pink towel that Frank Sinatra used to wipe his brow during his final show in Atlantic City.
Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City"
Bruce Springsteen released a song called "Atlantic City" on his 1982 solo album "Nebraska", which he has also performed in a full band arrangement at his concerts. The New Jersey native sings about a young couple's escape to Atlantic City. The song talks about the man's inevitable death due to his involvement with organized crime within the city.
Photo Courtesy: [Bill Ebbesen/Wikimedia Commons]
In April of 1981, Springsteen recorded two demos of the song at his home in Colt's Neck, New Jersey. The song was originally titled "Fist Full Of Dollars", from the Cint Eastwood movie titled the same. Later in 1981, he recorded another demo of the song and changed the name to its permanent one, "Atlantic City".
Conversion Of The Trump Taj Mahal
The Trump Taj Mahal was one of the original Atlantic City casinos, as well as one of the largest in the world. On October 10th, 2016, the casino closed its doors for good and was set to become something new. On June 27th, 2018, the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was opened in the same building the Taj Mahal previously occupied.
Photo Courtesy: [Farragutful/Wikimedia Commons]
Although some were sad to see an old classic close up, the new modern Hard Rock became an instant hit. Amenities include a casino, nightclubs, upscale restaurants and shops, and a theater. A fan favorite would also be a restaurant called "Sugar Factory" where guests can enjoy specialty candy-themed drinks and treats.
The First African American Mayor
James Leroy Usry was a Georgia native who graduated from Glassboro State University, now Rowan University, with his master's degree in 1971. He would go on to become Atlantic City's first African American mayor from 1984-1990. Prior to his election, he was an educator in the Atlantic City School District where he served as superintendent.
Photo Courtesy: [Wasted Time R at English Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons]
Usry was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on March 20th, 1987 to serve a two-year term on the National Advisory Council on Educational Research and Improvement. Ursy died in Absecon, New Jersey in 2002 at the age of 79.
Revel
In April 2006, Wall Street investment giant Morgan Stanley purchased the South Inlet property near the Showboat Casino for $70 million. He selected Revel Entertainment Group to help develop and operate a casino that was planned to be built on the 20-acre oceanfront property. It was planned to be one of the largest casinos in the city, both size-wise and income-wise. The modern design and chic nightlife was sure to attract young and wealthy patrons.
Photo Courtesy: [Highsmith, Carol M/Wikimedia Commons]
Fast forward to March 2nd, 2011, and Morgan Stanley sells his share of Revel for $30 million after a $1.2 billion dollar loss. The loss was followed by the death of three executives of Revel Entertainment and its builder, Tishman Construction due to a plane crash. Other financial issues rose along the way, as well. However, Revel did end up opening it to the public on April 2nd, 2012 where it remained open for two years. After losing money and filing for bankruptcy, the hotel had to close its doors and was replaced by the Ocean Casino Resort.
The Jitney
The Jitney was one of Atlantic City's earliest busses to get visitors around the city. The word "jitney" is a slang term for nickel, which is what it cost to ride in 1915. Although the price has increased over the years, its name stuck and you can still ride the famous bus today.
Photo Courtesy: [Adam E. Moreira/Wikimedia Commons]
The first jitneys in Atlantic City can be dated back to March of 1915 and resembled regular cars. As the years have passed, there have been at least eight different designs and at least four different colors. In 1997, the current version was released and it is a thirteen-passenger light-blue mini-bus. Champion Motor Coach is the manufacturer.
The Tanger Outlets
The Tanger Outlets were opened in August of 2003 and featured 109 stores. This open-air outlet mall is the only outlet mall in Atlantic County. Spanning nine city blocks, the outlets feature a unique layout and experience.
Photo Courtesy: [Андрей Бобровский/Wikimedia Commons]
The Atlantic City Bus Terminal was home to the original phase of the Tanger Outlets, where Polo Ralph Lauren was one of the first shops. The "Corridor Project" consisted of the center's first two expansions. Over the years, multiple expansions were added on and many shops came and went. Today, the outlets are still open to the public.
World War II Training Facility
Boardwalk Hall, then known as Convention Hall, was used as a World War II U.S. Army training facility. AtlanticCityNJ.com stated, “Squads of armed forces could be seen marching up and down the boards. Mock beachfront invasions and war bond rallies were common as well.”
Photo Courtesy: [Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons]
The location was ideal due to its large size and room for multiple troops. Out of fear that German submarines were watching along the coastline, the boardwalk lamps were shaded.
Hurricane Sandy
On October 29th, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey. The coastlines were the most damaged, primarily in the central and north regions of the state. However, the south coasts were hit hard as well and the storm caused a lot of damage. During this time, Atlantic City was struggling with its economy, and rumors of the storm damage hurt the tourism industry even more.
Photo Courtesy: [NOAA National Weather Service/Wikimedia Commons]
Hurricane Sandy hit Atlantic City hard. Parts of the boardwalk were destroyed and there was rubble and debris all over the streets. Power lines had fallen, buildings were damaged, and the streets were flooded. Eventually, the city recovered from the physical damage. The financial struggles, though, lingered and negatively impacted the city's stability.
Rolling Chairs
The famous rolling chairs were introduced to the Atlantic City boardwalk on June 11th, 1887. The chairs were fashioned after wheelchairs and were the only vehicles allowed on the boardwalk. They were to be used only by individuals who could not walk. Their use was then opened up to the public after able-bodied people started to pretend they could not walk.
Photo Courtesy: [Unknown author/Wikimedia Commons]
Eventually, using the rolling chairs to be pushed down the boardwalk became very chic. People would dress to the nines before going for a ride on the chairs. The rolling chairs would go on to become the preferred method of transportation. Today, the rolling chairs are still available to the public and it is considered common courtesy to tip those pushing the chairs.
The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre
The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre took place on February 14th, 1929. The world was shocked to learn about the gang violence that erupted on Chicago’s North Side. Seven men who were associated with the Irish gangster George “Bugs” Moran were murdered. The Irish gangster was one of Al Capone's longtime enemies, and Capone was out to eliminate any rivals he had in the world of bootlegging, gambling, and prostitution.
Photo Courtesy: [United States Bureau of Prisons/Wikimedia Commons]
Some say that the 1929 Atlantic City Conference mob meeting was to address the massacres at a place where they could meet safely. The meeting took place just a few months after the tragic event that occurred on Valentine's Day.
The Steel Pier
The Steel Pier holds Atlantic City's famous amusement park and was originally 1,000-foot-long. It is currently located across from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, formerly the Trump Taj Mahal. The Steel Pier Company built the pier and was opened on June 18th, 1898. A storm washed away part of the pier in 1904, but it has since been rebuilt, despite the doubts of many engineers that it could be repaired.
Photo Courtesy: [Tuck/Wikimedia Commons]
The Steel Pier suffered damage from a fire in 1924. The following year, Frank Gravatt purchased the pier and renovated it. The pier went on to hold dance bands, three movie theaters, operas, children's shows, and more. From 1935 through 1938, Miss America was crowned at The Steel Pier. The pier is still going strong today, with multiple amusement rides and games for guests to enjoy.
Atlantic City Beach Patrol
The Atlantic City Beach Patrol, ACBP for short, is the oldest, operational lifeguard organization in America. City Council appointed William Cazier in 1855 to the position of “Constable of the Surf.” Due to the increased tourism and growing popularity of the Atlantic City beaches, the patrol expanded. By 1872, the organization had more than twenty volunteer lifeguards on its staff.
Photo Courtesy: [ChildofMidnight at English Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons]
On June 12th, 1892, the patrol was fully incorporated which allowed them to join the city payroll. Jim Jeffries and Nick Headley were amongst the first lifeguards to be paid for their work. It was also common for the first lifeguards to serve in the police force as well.
The Absecon Lighthouse
The historic Absecon lighthouse was in service from 1857 to 1933. It is located on the north end of Atlantic City and overlooks the Absecon Inlet. Standing at 171 feet, it is the tallest lighthouse in the state of New Jersey and the third-tallest masonry lighthouse in America. Construction began in 1854 and on January 15th, 1857, the first light was lit.
Photo Courtesy: [Harriet Duncan/Wikimedia Commons]
The lighthouse was deactivated in 1933. However, the light still shines through each night and its location has now been named a historical site. So, although it no longer acts as a navigational aid, tourists can visit the site.
Ocean Casino Resort
The Ocean Casino Resort is formerly known as Revel Casino Hotel. When Revel closed down after just about two years of operation, Ocean Casino Resort took its place and opened on June 27th, 2018. The theme is a sleek, underwater environment and is one of the more modern casinos within the city.
Photo Courtesy: [Chris6d/Wikimedia Commons]
Some of the main attractions in the casino include the burlesque club "Ivan Kane's Royal Jelly Burlesque", pool day club "HQ2", and concert and events venue "Ovation Hall". There are 1,399 rooms total and 130,000 square feet of gaming space. Ocean Hotel Casino is a modern part of the city's history, because of how much it is changing the scene. It is currently the furthest north casino located on the boardwalk.
The Quarter At The Tropicana
The Quarter at the Tropicana changed the history of the city forever. It is truly one of a kind, and it launched with over 40 retail stores, nine restaurants, a spa, and eleven nightclubs. It is Old Havana-themed and gives visitors an almost tropical feel.
Photo Courtesy: [Jcjh20/Wikimedia Commons]
Along with the construction of this enclosed shopping mall, Tropicana added a 502-room hotel expansion tower. While other casinos may have been struggling at the time, Tropicana saw an opportunity for expansion and to bring life to the city. The total construction cost was $280 million and it opened in 2004. Tropicana added more shops into the Quarter in 2015, and it has been going strong ever since.
The Civil Rights Garden
While Atlantic City is primarily known for its casinos and entertainment, there is a tucked-away treasure located on Pacific Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard. The Civil Rights Garden was created in 2001 and pays honors to individuals heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
Photo Courtesy: [Nobel Foundation/Wikimedia Commons]
The project cost $2 million to make and it includes eleven black African granite columns on a winding path through the garden. The path represents the journey from slavery to equality. There is also a reflecting pool with a large bronze bell in the center. When the bell is rung, it creates ripples in the water that represent the growing civil-rights movement.
Stockton University
Stockton University is a public university located in Galloway Township, New Jersey. It is named after Richard Stockton who was one of New Jersey's signers of the Declaration of Independence. The university was founded in 1969, and in 1971 accepted its charter class. Upon its 1971 opening, classes were held at Atlantic City's Mayflower Hotel. Later that year, the Galloway campus began operating.
Photo Courtesy: [Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons]
The newest addition to the university is its Atlantic City campus, located at the Boardwalk and Albany Avenue. The Atlantic City location opened in the fall of 2018 and was built on the former site of Atlantic City High School. At the time of its opening, more than 500 residential students were enrolled and more than 1,500 were taking classes.
World War I Memorial
This World War I memorial is located just as you enter Atlantic City from its neighboring town, Ventnor City. It was constructed in 1922 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places years later on August 28th, 1981. A 9-foot bronze statue titled "Liberty In Distress" is located in the center of the memorial.
Photo Courtesy: [Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons]
Also inside, there are four medallions that represent the Army, Navy, Marines, and Aviation. Inscribed upon the architrave, are the names of the battles in which Atlantic City soldiers fought.
New Jersey Korean War Memorial
Atlantic City is home to the historical New Jersey Korean War Memorial. Located at Park Place and the Boardwalk, it was first dedicated to ensuring that future generations remember those who fought and served.
Photo Courtesy: [Tdorante10/Wikimedia Commons]
A 12-foot statue of a grieving soldier clutching his dog tags is featured at the memorial. Just to his left, a group of soldiers under fire are shown. On the back of the memorial wall and beneath an eternal flame, are the names of the 822 New Jersey soldiers who died during the war. It continues to honor veterans today.
A Golf Destination
ForbesTraveler.com ranked Atlantic City in their Top Ten Golf Cities in America list. Atlantic City is one of the East Coast's top golf destinations, with many big-name golf courses in the area. There are numerous championship-caliber courses nearby for both novice and advanced golfers.
Photo Courtesy: [Golf Swing/Wikimedia Commons]
Some of the surrounding golf courses were designed by the top golf consultants in the country. Big-name courses include Atlantic City Country Club, Ballamor Golf Club, Blue Heron Pines, Twisted Dunes and Shore Gate Golf Club, and many more.
Big Name Celebrities
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Atlantic City Boardwalk was frequented by big-name celebrities. Although the war hurt the city financially, celebrities still visited, keeping the city a tourist favorite.
Photo Courtesy: [Ed Feingersh/Wikimedia Commons]
According to AtlanticCityNJ.com, those who visited the boardwalk included Ed Sullivan, Joe DiMaggio, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Bing Crosby, Milton Berle, and Dean Martin. The Beatle's ate the city's world-famous White House Subs on the boardwalk.
Need For New Railroads
In 1870, the first official road from the mainland to Absecon Island, now Atlantic City, was completed. Construction took 17 years. The road had a $.30 toll and ran from Pleasantville, a nearby town. However, due to the new hotels and increased interest in traveling to the beach resort, one main road was no longer efficient.
Photo Courtesy: [Jack Delano/Wikimedia Commons]
By 1878, it was clear more transportation was needed. To accommodate the increase in visitors, the Narrow Gauge Line to Philadelphia was constructed. This allowed for more hotels to operate and prosper, as well as other city businesses.
Dr. Martin A. Couney
Dr. Martin A. Couney was born in Germany sometime around 1870. He was a pediatrician who invented the modern-day infant incubator. Premature birth was one of the biggest causes of infant mortality in the early 20th century, and in 1925 36% of infant deaths were caused by premature birth. Dr. Couney himself had a premature daughter, and she lived into adulthood under his care. Some medical professionals were skeptical of his invention of the incubator and they doubted if it would really work.
Photo Courtesy: [PublicDomainPictures/Wikimedia Commons]
The doctor wanted to bring awareness to the tragedies of premature birth. To do so, he felt the public being exposed to the issue would open their eyes and educate them. He set up baby incubator attractions at big tourist sites, one of the locations being on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Visitors could pay a small fee to enter the attraction and receive information on premature birth, while also witnessing the treatments they would get and, in most cases, grow to be healthy babies. As word of mouth got around, many parents of premature babies reached out to Dr. Couney for help. He accepted patients at no charge and is said to have been able to rehabilitate about 90% of the infants that were placed in his care.
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a museum located on the Atlantic City Boardwalk that is based on the show with the same name. True to their motto, "truth is stranger than fiction" visitors can see an array of bizarre displays that are based on real events. The museum draws the attention of tourists and locals alike and has been a staple of the city for many years.
Photo Courtesy: [W. Reichmann/Wikimedia Commons]
Visitors can explore 14 galleries in this 12,000 square foot oddities museum. Ripley's adds to the novelty of the famous boardwalk and is located in a convenient location in the center of the main casino area. The Ripley's museum is one of the many great attractions that helps the legacy of Atlantic City continue to live on today.
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