The History of Atlantic City
Atlantic
City is on the northernmost coast of Absecon Island and has a more than
a 200 year history. Long before the ringing of the slots began, in Atlantic
City's hey day in the 1930's and 1940's, the city was creating a colorful
past for today's travelers to enjoy. The island, originally inhabited
as a summer residence for the Lenni Lenape Indians, was settled for its
proximity to the ocean and the variety of wildlife. In the late 1670's,
the first owner of the island was recorded. He purchased this land for
$.04 per acre (today, this real estate sells for millions of dollars per
acre). In the late 1830's, Atlantic City's first business, a licensed
Boarding House was started. On July 5, 1854, the newly-constructed Camden-Atlantic
City Railroad delivered the island's first tourists, beginning a whirlwind
of growth. After a tragic shipwreck carrying German Immigrants in 1854,
the Absecon Lighthouse was erected, at the suggestion of Dr. Jonathan
Pitney, one of Atlantic City's original founders. The lighthouse still
stands today, just more than a half mile inland from its original location.
Around the same time (late 1870's), grand hotels (as well as smaller boarding
homes) were built. The city's first hotels were beautiful, filled with
elegance and grandeur, and attracted businessmen from across the US.
The original
Atlantic City boardwalk, which was destroyed by a devastating hurricane,
and rebuilt, was created to keep the sand out of the businessmen's clothes
and shoes. In 1880 Atlantic City was officially opened to the public. In
addition to the hotels and boarding homes, the city's original houses were
elaborate two and three story vacation homes that were purchased as the
summer vacation spots of prominent Philadelphia doctors and businessmen.
After World War II, Atlantic City became less attractive as a vacation destination
as national air travel became much more prevalent. With the passing of gambling
in 1976, Atlantic City began its rebirth. From that time on, Atlantic City
has grown steadily and has now emerged as one of the nation's great resort
destinations.
Welcome to the all-new
Atlantic City !
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