The1904 Floral Parade - Atlantic City Boardwalk with a twist-turn up the volume.

Fans...Let me know if you like this version with SOUND
Turn up the volume.
Thanks to Thomas Edison and Weezer.

Emil

The Asbury Park - Ocean Grove Train Station

Many Jersey Shore fans do not realize that for decades Asbury Park, and Ocean Grove, were ruled by the stern hand of the "founder" James Bradley, a former Manhattan brush salesman.

He was a very religious man and had no problem imposing his concept of morality on the two resorts. Interestingly, the nearby resort of Bradley Beach - named after him - broke free from his rule before the other two. I suppose they learned by observing what Asbury and Ocean Grove were going through such as trains not being permitted to service the resorts on Sundays. Some rules made sense, and well others, including his bizarre disdain for hot dogs and his insistence that they not be sold in "his" beloved Asbury Park, well .... :)

The first thing the Asbury Park government did when it wrestled control from Bradley was to permit the trains to service the bustling resort on Sundays. Pictured here is the beautiful train station.

Atlantic City over a century ago...in motion.

Here is a rare treat for you fans taken by the Wizard himself ... Thomas A. Edison.

The occasion ? The Floral Parade on the Atlantic City boardwalk in 1904...yup, 1904.

I watched it a few times to see the amazing detail. One of the floats says "Young's Pier." Look at the children and the old school policemen.

Emil

Goodbye to an era..

The Atlantic City beachfront had been one of the most famous in the world for more than half of a century. As poverty, decay and crime grew in the latter half of the twentieth century Atlantic City was no longer the place to be seen.
In 1979 Louis Malle's film Atlantic City featured dramatic aerial footage of the magnificent Traymore hotel being demolished to make way for new hotels and signal an end of the era of pre-casino AC.
Malle used artistic license in his film, for the actual demolition - a Guinness world record holder at the time for the largest controlled demolition - actually took place in April 1972, six years before gambling was legalized in America's Playground.
Emil

Enter if you Dare

George Tilyou, of Coney Island fame,  was serious about fun and his Atlantic City Steeplechase Pier.

Here is the boardwalk entrance.

#1 Atlantic Ocean

Guys-

Here are two incredible interior images I just located of the inside of Captain Young's mansion on his pier in Atlantic City... very rare.
As I wrote earlier he only bought the finest furniture.

Enjoy
Emil

Birth of Tillie

Many of you Asbury Park fans know that Tillie of Palace Amusements fame, has been featured on my FaceBook fan page.
Few folks know that the demonic clown image of Tillie was morphed from the trademark that George Tilyou used on his Steeplechase Parks and Piers.
Some say he patterned the image after a photo of his brother but as you can see in this very cool photo of Atlantic City it was prominently displayed on his Steeplechase Pier.

I'm working on a post about the fellow who created Tille for the Palace Amusements and will publish it soon
For the time being click on this fun image and check out a very crowded boardwalk on a long ago Easter Day.
Emil