Atlantic City – the name conjures so many images that we had to check it out. We took a day trip from Lancaster County and saw today’s version of the city.
Casinos and entertainment line the Boardwalk.
Over the years we have heard about the action in Atlantic City, now we have a better understanding.
In 1695 when Absecon Island was first surveyed it appeared uninhabitable.
In 1783 the first colonial settler arrived and by 1850 the benefits of the island were being recognized. The salt air, cool breezes and sunshine were a respite from the inland heat and humidity.
Dr. Jonathan Pitney had a vision. He realized that the key to the island’s growth was a link to nearby Philadelphia and Camden via rail transportation. In 1854 Atlantic City was incorporated and the Camden and Atlantic Railroad opened to the general public.
Atlantic City was the first resort city established for working and middle class people with the advantage of being accessible by mass transportation. The city’s success lay in its uncanny ability to judge American popular taste.
The late 1800s and early 1900s were a golden era for Atlantic City and it became "The World's Favorite Playground".
The Boardwalk was the heart of the action.
The 1920s were a bustling time with theatrical productions bound for Broadway and top performers in the nightclubs.
In 1920 prohibition made selling liquor illegal. The law was largely unenforced in Atlantic City. Nucky Johnson, the city’s political boss, allegedly ran much of Atlantic City’s bootlegging, gambling and prostitution rings.
The rowdy party of the 1920s extended into the ‘30s and ‘40s until many of the facilities were transformed into military barracks and training sites during World War II.
In the 1950s the appeal of Atlantic City dwindled. Air travel to Florida and the Caribbean was widely available and cars provided opportunities for road trips across the US. By the 1960s the resort’s economy had tumbled and the island was beset by economic and social problems.
The next upswing came in 1976 with the legalization of gambling in Atlantic City. By 1988 a dozen casinos existed on the island attracting 33 million visitors annually.
The early 2000s were a fiscal high point but the city recognized it must continue to revitalize itself due to increased competition from nearby states. More than 1.8 billion dollars were invested in expansion and restoration of existing hotels and retail spaces.
In 2013 Internet gaming was legalized in New Jersey as the newest step forward.
There is a quiet side to the city. Ralph and an American Oystercatcher checked out the water.
Atlantic City has reinvented itself many times and today it reflects a bright future.
Looks like a bright and shiny place. Love the beach!
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