Atlantic City – Defining Moments

Atlantic City’s history as a resort town dates back all the way to the 1800s. It started out as a world-famous tourist destination, became an escape from Prohibition, grew into a gambling mecca, and is now a family-friendly vacation spot.

Below is an outline of some defining moments in Atlantic City history that made it the unique destination it is today.

 

1854

The grand opening of Atlantic City

Atlantic City was incorporated in 1854, an auspicious year, as the Camden and Atlantic Railroad service began that year as well. This was mutually beneficial for the railroad company and the city, as people from all over New Jersey could easily visit the brand-new resort town.

On July 1, 1854, the first train to Atlantic City left Camden and arrived 2.5 hours later. This marked the beginning of a long history of tourists visiting the beachside city.

 

1870

Atlantic City unveils the first boardwalk

Atlantic City made history by being the site of the first boardwalk in the United States. The initial purpose of the boardwalk was to help knock off sand from the bottom of people’s shoes before they walked into a hotel. Many hotel owners griped about sand being trekked into their lobbies, and a boardwalk was a simple and convenient solution. Now boardwalks are an integral part of beaches throughout the country.

With this fascinating new attraction, more and more visitors took the train down to Atlantic City. By 1874, approximately 500,000 tourists were visiting each year.

 

1881

The creation of Lucy the Elephant

In 1881, Lucy the Elephant, a six-story building in the shape of a circus elephant, was built just outside Atlantic City. This makes Lucy older than the Statue of Liberty, which was built in 1886, and the Eiffel Tower, built in 1887.

Atlantic City erected Lucy, originally called Elephant Bazaar, to attract visitors. Throughout its life, Lucy the Elephant has served as a restaurant, office space, and a tavern. The structure fell into disrepair in the 1960s and was almost demolished before a group of local citizens banded together to save her.

Lucy the Elephant still stands to this day and is a popular tourist photo op. There, visitors can take guided tours that provide a great view of the beach from the top of the six-story structure.

 

1883

Saltwater Taffy is invented

In addition to the first boardwalk, Atlantic City was the birthplace of saltwater taffy, a beachside classic. The treat, unveiled in 1883, has since become synonymous with the boardwalk. No one knows for sure who chose the name, but it most likely relates to the candy’s seaside origins.

 

1920s

Escape from Prohibition

Atlantic City experienced a huge boom in tourism during Prohibition, as residents and law enforcement alike widely ignored the laws banning alcohol consumption. Enoch L. Johnson, a corrupt county treasurer, made this possible by ensuring that anyone serving alcohol in the city was not apprehended.

This rebellious party atmosphere, which included a huge jazz scene earned Atlantic City the nickname “The World’s Playground.” Due to this revelry, the city reached its peak popularity in the 1920s.

 

1921

Atlantic City hosts the first Miss American Pageant

The first Miss America Pageant, originally called “Atlantic City’s Inter-City Beauty Contest,” took place in 1921. It only featured six women and was essentially a bathing suit contest.

Now the Miss America competition has dozens of participants who compete via talent performances and interviews. While the Miss America headquarters is still in Atlantic City, the world-famous pageant has taken place in Las Vegas since 2006.

 

1932

The Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ is built

In 1932, the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium unveiled its colossal pipe organ. This instrument remains the largest, and loudest, instrument in the world. It contains more than 33,000 pipes and plays at an ear-splitting volume that fills the entirety of Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.

 

1935

Hasbro creates Monopoly

Monopoly, the world-famous board game published by Hasbro, was based on Atlantic City. Streets like Atlantic, Pacific, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina Avenue are all featured in Monopoly, and the game board reflects the layout of Atlantic City’s streets.

The names and locations included in the board game have changed over time, but Atlantic City’s influence on the foundation of the game is evident to this day.

 

1964

The Democratic National Convention comes to town

The 1964 Democratic National Convention took place in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. This massive event went from August 24 to 27, and the Democratic Party nominated President Lyndon B. Johnson as the candidate. Johnson was already president at the time, having assumed the role after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th president of the United States and served until 1968.

 

1976

Legalization of casino gambling

In 1976, Atlantic City legalized casino gambling, one of the most influential decisions in its history. Technically, however, the city was already a gambling destination. For decades in the late 19th and early 20th century, law enforcement turned a blind eye to the illegal underground gambling scene. This was no longer necessary when the state of New Jersey legalized casino gambling in 1976.

Consequently, this decision created more jobs, increased tax revenue, and an influx of tourism. The first casino to open was Resorts Atlantic City in 1978.

 

1982

Bruce Springsteen releases his song “Atlantic City”

World-famous rock star and New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen released the song “Atlantic City” on his 1982 album Nebraska. The lyrics are about a man in legal and monetary trouble who invites a girl on a date to Atlantic City. The music video features clips of the city’s boardwalk and the demolition of multiple old buildings. The 1980s were a relatively tough time for the area, and Springsteen’s song reflects this.

 

2010

HBO’s Boardwalk Empire premieres

On September 19, 2010, HBO released its critically acclaimed show Boardwalk Empire. Critics and viewers alike celebrated the show for its incredible cinematography and overall quality. Martin Scorsese directed the pilot episode, which cost $18 million to produce. This investment paid off, as Boardwalk Empire won numerous Golden Globes and Emmy Awards over the course of its four-year span.

 

2018

Sports betting is legalized

In order to give Atlantic City a boost in tourism and funds, the city legalized sports betting in 2018. This ended Nevada’s reign as the sole state where sports betting was legal.

Now visitors to Atlantic City can place bets at almost every casino in the city, as well as online. This change in the law resulted in $293 million in sports betting, boosting the city’s revenue by 13%.