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The History of Atlantic City

The history of the Atlantic City region is quite fascinating, extending far beyond the beginning of its casino era in the late 1970s and the burgeoning popularity of the city in the 1930s and 1940s. The Lenni-Lenape Indians originally roamed Absecon Island—the island on which Atlantic City is located—traveling over the Old Indian Trail from the mainland during the summertime to take advantage of the island’s natural resources.

An Englishman by the name of Thomas Budd was the first recorded owner of Absecon Island, arriving to the area in the late 1670s. Over the next century, the island was continually explored by both the Lenni-Lenape and a multitude of hunters and settlers from the mainland.

In 1785, Jeremiah Leeds became known as the premier white man to establish a permanent structure on Absecon Island, and ultimately, he and his family were recognized as Atlantic City’s first official residents. Leeds’ second wife, Millicent, opened a tavern, Aunt Millie’s Boarding House, after his death in 1838, initiating Atlantic City’s first business venture.

Seven permanent dwellings, with all but one of these residences owned by descendants of Leeds, were established by 1850. The one resident not linked to Leeds was Dr. Jonathan Pitney, a well-known physician who had bright ideas for transforming the island into a prominent health resort. Knowing that transportation into the island must be enhanced first and foremost, Pitney, in collaboration with Richard Osborne, a Philadelphia native and civil engineer, put together a plan to bring the railroad to Absecon Island. Development of the Camden-Atlantic City Railroad commenced in 1852, with the first train arriving in July of 1854. In May of the same year, Atlantic City was officially incorporated as a city of New Jersey.

Osborne was credited with instituting the city’s name, while Pitney determined the plans and names of the city’s streets—all of which still remain to this day.

By 1860, the city was home to 700 permanent residents. Transportation continued to improve, with the first authorized roadway connecting the mainland to the island completed in 1870, followed by the establishment of the Narrow Gauge rail line to Philadelphia in 1878. Due to the boost in accessibility to Atlantic City, business started booming. Luxurious hotels, such as the United States and Surf House, and urbane dining establishments began sprouting up in the city. It was apparent that Atlantic City was blossoming into a prime tourist destination.

To solve the issues pertaining to the area’s substantial amount of sand, an eight-foot-wide walkway was constructed from the beach into town in 1870—eventually replaced in 1880 and again after the devastating 1889 hurricane. Today, the much more secure Boardwalk is 60-feet-wide and stretches more than six miles in length.

Atlantic City was officially opened on June 16, 1880, and by 1900, the population of the area had reached more than 27,000. During the next 25 years, the city had many additions such as the establishment of the First National Bank of Atlantic City on May 23, 1881; the creation of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol in August of 1881; the first use of electricity in July of 1882; the initiation of the city’s premier school in 1883; the institution of the trolley service commencing in 1893 (running until 1955); the opening of the Atlantic City Hospital on November 20, 1898; the first public library opening on January 31, 1900; and the establishment of the city’s famous Jitney service beginning in 1915.

While all of this was happening, more houses were being constructed, and at the same time, the popular amusement piers along the boardwalk began to emerge. Everything from peculiar exhibits, promotions and extraordinary festivals to family-friendly fun on the sand could be found here. Atlantic City became a summer hot spot. Keeping tourists coming after the warm summer months was an issue until the creation of the famous Miss America pageant, which still remains a strong aspect of Atlantic City history to the present. This was the place to be, for everyone from everyday tourists to popular entertainers of the day.

Atlantic City remained prosperous until the coming of World War II when the city lost some of its sparkle and appeal to national and international air travel, which afforded people access to places previously accessible only to the very wealthy; the movement of the population to the western U.S., the desire for more sophistication in entertainment options and perhaps other speculated reasons.

The city remained this way until the advent of the Casino Gambling Referendum in 1976, which signaled a new era and a rebirth of Atlantic City as a destination resort. With the development of modern, upscale casino hotels, tourism in Atlantic City sprung back to life. The Atlantic City of today has grown by leaps and bounds, incorporating much more than just gaming. Its high-quality real estate developments, continually expanding economic climate and natural resources are complemented by a wealth of cultural avenues and family-oriented entertainment. During the last five years, yet another renaissance has occured in and around Atlantic City with an influx of world-class restaurants, entertainment, shopping and recreational activities. People of all ages take pleasure in the vast offerings of Atlantic City, and that enjoyment is sure to continue on into the future.