Jersey Shore History & Heritage
From Victorian grandeur to boardwalk spectacles, the shore is steeped in American history.
Historic Eras
Victorian Era (1870s-1900s)
Cape May became the nation's first seaside resort. Victorian architecture still dominates the town today.
Cape May's 600+ Victorian buildings are a National Historic Landmark.
Boardwalk Age (1870-1930)
Atlantic City built the first boardwalk in 1870. Salt water taffy, rolling chairs, and amusements defined the era.
Monopoly board game streets are named after Atlantic City locations.
Golden Age (1920s-1960s)
Shore resorts boomed with nightclubs, big bands, and glamour. The Rat Pack played AC clubs.
Steel Pier featured diving horses and high-wire acts over the ocean.
Casino Era (1978-Present)
Legalized gambling transformed Atlantic City. Casinos brought new life and controversy.
The Borgata opened in 2003 as the first new casino in 13 years.
Historic Sites to Visit
Cape May Historic District
Cape May
National Historic Landmark
600+ Victorian buildings, the largest collection in the US.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse
Sandy Hook
Oldest Working Lighthouse
Built in 1764, still guiding ships today.
Barnegat Lighthouse
Barnegat Light
Historic Lighthouse
"Old Barney" - 1859 lighthouse you can climb.
Lucy the Elephant
Margate
National Historic Landmark
1881 elephant-shaped building, oldest roadside attraction in America.
Emlen Physick Estate
Cape May
Victorian Museum
1879 mansion, headquarters for Cape May MAC historic tours.
Twin Lights
Highlands
Historic Lighthouse
Site of first Marconi wireless telegraph demonstration.
Famous Shore Stories
The Morro Castle Disaster
1934
Luxury liner burned off Asbury Park. 137 died. The smoldering wreck became a macabre tourist attraction.
Diving Horses of Steel Pier
1929-1978
Horses dove 40 feet into a pool. Controversial but legendary AC attraction.
Springsteen at Stone Pony
1970s
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band built their legend at this Asbury Park club.
The Purple Beachgoers
1920s
Atlantic City required beach segregation until the 1960s civil rights movement.
Experience History
Visit Cape May for the most complete historic experience.
Explore Cape May