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A storm a year later destroyed the The real story behind the evolution of
newly-built Boardwalk but not the interest the Atlantic City Boardwalk, however, is
in rebuilding it, especially in a way that less about its construction and more about
made it less vulnerable to the elements. the attractions and experiences that brought
In its third iteration, the Boardwalk was tourists from all over the world to this small
elevated atop pilings five feet high above seaside town on the New Jersey shore.
the beach so the tides could wash beneath
safely. There were no railings on this ele- The Boardwalk Grows Up
vated walkway, and accounts were told of with the Times
at least somebody every day falling off the
boards, usually in the act of flirting. The It was the inspiration of Dr. Jonathan
Boardwalk was also widened to 20-feet to Pitney, considered the “Father of Atlantic
accommodate shops, walkers, and the new City,” to develop Atlantic City as a health
rolling chairs introduced in the 1880s, resort. Pitney believed that where the train
which offered visitors a novel way to relax Photochrome postcard of crowded boardwalk at Atlantic City, stopped commerce would surely flourish,
and enjoy the sites along what was now a New Jersey. Published by American Novelty Co. and convinced the municipal authorities
two-mile-long strip. that a railroad to the beach would be
On Sunday, September 9, 1889, another devastating hurricane hit beneficial to the town. He also engaged Samuel Richards, an entrepre-
the island. Most of the city was under 6 feet of water and the boardwalk neur and member of the most influential family in southern New Jersey
was once again destroyed. There was still a strong commitment to bring- at the time, in his scheme to get in on the ground floor of building a
ing the Boardwalk back, and this time bet- town to meet the train and its passengers
ter than ever. This fourth iteration was 24- when they arrived. The first rail passengers
feet wide, 10 feet high, nearly 4 miles long, arrived in Atlantic City on July 1, 1854,
and had railings on both sides. aboard the Camden and Atlantic Railroad
Over the next half-century, the through Camden, New Jersey.
Boardwalk underwent additional expan- In the coming years, the city’s luxurious
sions and section replacements to repair hotels, fine restaurants, alluring shops,
storm damage and accommodate its and a connecting railroad line through to
popularity and evolution as a tourist Philadelphia drew visitors from all over
attraction and cultural landmark. the world to Atlantic City’s beautiful
The Boardwalk of today, with its beaches and fresh sea air. Atlantic City
origins in the 1916 iteration, is 60-feet became a popular summer resort and
wide and six miles long. Its planks, placed winter health spa for the well-to-do, and a
in a herringbone pattern, are laid on a getaway for bathers looking to escape the
substructure of concrete and steel. Steel city for a day at the beach.
railings are in place to keep visitors from Rolling Chair Parade, Showing Hotel Rudolph and Heinz’s Pier By 1874, almost 500,000 passengers a
falling off to the beach below, and under year were coming to Atlantic City by rail
an old City Council ordinance, hotels, restaurants, and shops are kept to enjoy a memorable vacation by the sea. Defining the town along its
on one side of the boards, with amusement piers on the other. coastline was a wooden walkway over the sand that was both a novel
Weather continues to play a role in the Boardwalk’s physical and struc- and refined way to enjoy the beach without getting sandy.
tural evolution, most recently Hurricane Sandy in 2012 wiped out the The 1920s was the decade that really put Atlantic City on the tourist
oldest section of the Boardwalk which was already slated for demolition. map. Posh hotels, shops, shows, top talent, the original Miss America

1909 Aero View of Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1909 with marked attractions in red:
1 – Absecon Light House; 2 – “The Inlet”; 3 – Pennsylvania R.R. Station; 4 – Phila. & Reading R.R. Station; 5 – New Steel Pier; 6 – Young’s Pier;
7 – Steeplechase Pier; 8 – Steel Pier; 9 – Traymore Hotel

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