Historic Images of Atlantic City

Postcard (1908) (Courtesy of tuckdb.org)

In the late 19th and early 20th Century, Atlantic City N.J. became a popular and bustling seaside destination on the Jersey Shore. The city was incorporated in 1854, and by the 1870s and 1880s, it had become a major resort, noted for its famous boardwalk, beautiful beach and elegant hotels, with over 500,000 visitors arriving yearly by rail from Philadelphia and its suburbs. The famous "Saltwater Taffy" was invented in 1883 in Atlantic City.

In the Surf Atlantic City--Stereograph Image (1890) (Courtesy of NYPL)

From the 1900s-1920's many new hotels were built and tourism flourished. People flocked to the beaches and pleasure piers, most notably Steel Pier, and Young's Million Dollar Pier. 

Steel Pier At Night- Postcard (1910s) (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

The Miss America Pageant began there in 1921, and in the 1930's the city inspired the layout of the board for the famous Monopoly game. Atlantic City was billed as a family resort, but there was also a dark side. During the Prohibition Era (1919-1933) there was an increased organized crime presence, and illegal liquor, gambling and prostitution thrived in the city then known as "The World's Playground." 

Travel Poster (Circa 1920s-1930)

After WW2, Atlantic City experienced significant economic decline. The era of legalized gambling began in 1978, and the first casinos were constructed along the boardwalk in the next few years. Many of the famous old hotels were torn down, although a few such as The Chalfonte-Haddon Hall, were incorporated into the new casino complexes that were built. 

Haddon Hall (1902) (Courtesy of NYPL)

  

In the 1990s and 2000s, casino gaming began to expand to other nearby states, including Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Many people who once flocked to Atlantic City on bus trips or week long vacations now had the option to gamble closer to home, and Atlantic City began to suffer. Many casinos have now closed, and Atlantic City again faces many challenges, but still survives and hopefully will continue to find new ways to bring in visitors in the 21st century. 

Atlantic City Boardwalk (2006) (Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

The following photographs and postcard images celebrate the Golden Age of this beloved city by the sea.

Life Saving Lookout Atlantic City (Circa 1900-1920) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

A Merry Bunch- Stereograph Image (1895) (Courtesy of NYPL)

Entrance to Young's Ocean Pier (1903) (Courtesy of NYPL)

Love At the Seaside Atlantic City- Stereograph Image (1902) (Courtesy of NYPL)

 

The Marlborough-Blenheim Hotel (Circa 1900-1910) (Courtesy of NYPL)

Young's Million Dollar Pier (circa 1910) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

Menu from Opening Dinner for Young's Million Dollar Pier (1906) (Courtesy of NYPL)

Morning Ride Atlantic City N.J "Where Three Is Not A Crowd" (Featuring Rolling Chairs) (Circa 1910) (Courtesy of New York Public Library)

New York Beauties at Atlantic City Carnival (1922) (Courtesy of Library of Congress)

 

The Pier At the Inlet (1903--Postally Used 1905) (Courtesy of NYPL)

The Sandman (Sand Sculptures) (1900) (Courtesy of NYPL)

The Traymore Hotel (Circa 1900-1910) (Courtesy of NYPL)

 Steel Pier and Boardwalk (Circa 1900-1910) (Courtesy of tuckdb.org)

The Beach (Circa 1900-1910) (Courtesy of tuckdb.org)

The Boardwalk at Night (1902) (Courtesy of tuckdb.org)