Jersey Shore 1950's
New Jersey was great a summer time... I remember going to the shore and staying on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Atlantic City has always been a resort town. Its location in South Jersey, hugging the Atlantic Ocean between marshlands and islands, presented itself as prime real estate for developers. The city was incorporated in 1854, the same year in which train service began, linking this remote parcel of land with Philadelphia. Atlantic City became a popular beach destination because of its proximity to Philadelphia. We recently (2000) ordered candy from James Candy... same one where Sue and her family ordered taffy in the 1950's!!!
Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island in Atlantic County. It is approximately 60 miles southeast of Philadelphia and about 100 miles south, southwest of New York (North Latitude: 39 21'32", West Longitude: 74 25'53).
Atlantic City's original summer visitors were the Absegami Indians of the Lenni Lenape tribe. They enjoyed the island's natural assets and the outdoor activities. Early South Jersey settlers largely ignored the island and it had very few permanent residents.
Access was only by boat across the six miles of bay and salt marsh from the mainland. Large dunes protected the beaches and the island was heavily wooded.
Area physician, Dr. Jonathan Pitney, envisioned a "bathing village and health resort" on Absecon Island. He joined with a group of businessmen anxious to develop South Jersey and in 1852, received a railroad charter from Camden to Atlantic City. Engineer Richard Osborne designed and named Atlantic City.
The Jersey Shore
Super Vacation Spot
In March, 1854, the city was incorporated and eighteen voters elected the first mayor. On July 1, 1854, the first public train left from Camden, arriving two and one half hours later at Atlantic City. Total railroad cost was $1,274,030 and the city's colorful and interesting history began.
Atlantic City's proximity to population centers and convenient, inexpensive train access allowed thousand to flee the hot cities and enjoy summer pleasures at the cool seashore. The city grew rapidly and provided lodgings, eating places, amusements, entertainment and activities for all ages, tastes and incomes. Over the years, many famous figures visited and entertained here. A number of attractions, like the Boardwalk, amusement piers and beauty pageants were developed.
From the 1880's to 1940's, Atlantic City was a major vacation resort. In the 1920's, it was a pre-Broadway show tryout town. Population peaked at 66,000 in the 1930's, and despite hard times, people came to forget their troubles. In the 1940's, the U. S. Army used the city for training purposes, occupying several of the major hotels on the Boardwalk.
To The Shore
Besides the beaches, the Seaside Heights boardwalk is the main attraction. Every summer while rowing up we would escape the city and go to the beach for a long time. Dad would drive in to work and we would enjoy the pleasant ocean breeze.
During the winter months you will find arcades, and pubs open. There is a calm and casual atmosphere. Some boardwalk attractions may be open depending on the weather.
In the summer months, everything is open and geared for the crowds. The boardwalk consists of many wheels of chance where prizes range from small stuffed animals to TV's, bicycles, and scooters.
The Memories Are Ingrained
Children and adults alike always have a great time!
Aroma from the many pizza shops, sausage stands, and cotton candy machines tempt every body's taste buds-including the Seagulls!
About The Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States to refer to the Atlantic Ocean- facing coast of New Jersey, together with the adjacent resort and residential communities. Its popularity as a tourist destination is due in large part to the nearly continuous stretch of beaches along its length, classic themes (antique, quaint, and classic), and boardwalks filled with hundreds of rides.
The shore represents one of the most booming real estate markets on the East Coast as its prominence as a tourist destination and vacation spot has risen greatly in the past decade.
The Jersey Shore is home to many world-famous boardwalks in towns including Asbury Park, Belmar, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Atlantic City, Ocean City, Wildwood, and Cape May.
Palisades Park
Geographically, the term encompasses the New Jersey coast from Sandy Hook in the north to Cape May in the south and excludes the estuaries of New York Bay and Delaware Bay.
The Jersey Shore area includes Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties, along with the resort towns in Monmouth county and the small shoreline edge of Burlington county.
Citizens of certain areas of the Shore are unique in New Jersey because some communities often have mixed affiliations between New York and Philadelphia.
There are also areas that get both New York and Philadelphia tourists. While there is no defined border between North and South, the Manasquan River or Interstate 195 are often mentioned