The East Coast of the United States is famous for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s New York City, the Boston Red Sox, Washington DC, or even Florida, the Eastern region of the US is one of the world’s largest tourist draws annually. But a few decades ago, there was only one true king of the East: Atlantic City. Considered by many to be a miniature version of Vegas, AC once triumphed as the world’s number-two gambling destination.
With luxurious casinos opening all over the world, the plethora of online casinos and even mega-resorts popping up in other states in the US, Atlantic City has lost a bit of its luster. However, the famous boardwalk, shopping centers, and a close proximity to the ocean – unlike Las Vegas’ desert-bound home – the city that inspired the game of Monopoly still manages to bring in many a-traveler.
Atlantic City wasn’t always known for its difficult roulette tables and Trump-owned casinos. In the mid 1800s, a railway was installed to bridge the gap between Philadelphia and the South Jersey marshland area. The idea was to take Philly residents to the beach easily and affordable during the summer months. So from its inception, AC was always a resort town. By 1860, the city had become one of the country’s top beach destinations, and ten years later, the now famous boardwalk was constructed along the city’s beach.
The idea of the boardwalk soon became a popular notion, and construction began to extend it – setting up hotels, restaurants and shops along the way. Piers were also being built during this time, with many attractions – such as The Showplace of the Nation – found at the pier’s end. Before a rare hurricane struck in 1944, the boardwalk was nearly 7 miles. Today, it covers roughly 6 miles, but is still the world’s longest boardwalk.
By 1900, the city was boasting over 27,000 residents, and banks and schools began to play a predominant role. The famous piers of the city were keeping it afloat, with entertainers and the Hollywood elite showing up to witness attractions like Dr. Couney’s Premature Infant Exhibit, and to participate in marathon dance contests. Varieties of luxury hotels starting to spring up, and until the start of World War II, Atlantic City was coined as “the place to be.”
After the war, however, Atlantic City became a ghost town. The attractions were old, the hotels now seemed outdated, and the country was ready for something new. Barely hanging on, AC began to battle for their right to host casinos after the Casino Gambling Referendum passed in 1976. Resorts International was the city’s first casino in 1978, and throughout the 80s, Atlantic City exploded in popularity.
The city kept up popularity in the ‘90s, as well, due to entrepreneurs like Donald Trump who brought a sense of style and class to AC. It took Atlantic City many years to become known as a gambling town, but there are currently 11 casinos in the area and plans to keep expanding and fine tuning if the current recession relents and business picks back up. |
