USA > New Jersey > Atlantic County > Atlantic City > Atlantic City and County, New Jersey, biographically illustrated : a short biography : illustrated by protraits, of prominent residents of Atlantic County and the famous summer and winter resort, celebrated throughout America - Atlantic City. > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
lent. There are churches of every denomination, and several well known charitable institutions, such as the Children's Seashore Home, the Mercer Memorial Home and the City Hospital.
One can sum up by saying that Atlantic City possesses in perfection every attribute that one could expect in a seashore resort, and enjoys exceptional repute among the medical profession as a home for invalids in need of wholesome rest and the tonic of the sea air. It may fairly lay claim to the title, "Queen of American Watering Places."
183
Atlantic City. Chapter Erv.
The steel tentacles of the Pennsylvania Railroad are spread across New Jersey, touching the seashore at Long Branch, and by means of its line between that point and Barnegat Pier it touches the score of beautiful and popular intermediate resorts, including Asbury Park, Belmar, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Point Pleasant, Bay Head, Mantoloking,
Penna. TR. IR. Routes to the Coast
Lavalette, Ortley, Berkeley and Seaside Park. It also extends a branch to all points upon Long Beach. It operates two routes to Atlantic City with spurs which reach Somers' Point and Longport, with an admir- able ferry service between these places.
The West Jersey Division extends to Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Anglesea, Wildwood, Holly Beach and Cape May. The rails of this line also touch Delaware Bay at Salem and Maurice River.
In handling the enormous traffic to and from Atlantic City its trains are run both from Broad Street Station direct and via the splendid new' ferry station at the foot of Market Street. The trains from the Broad Street Terminal start westward, describing a great semicircle through the upper section of Philadelphia and cross a magnificent bridge which spans the Delaware River above the city.
The old Camden & Atlantic Railroad, the detailed history of which is fully related upon earlier pages, is now the Pennsylvania's direct passen- ger route to Atlantic City. The entire roadway has been rebuilt and double-tracked with standard steel rails.
To one who recalls the discomforts and vicissitudes of a railroad journey in the early days between Camden and Atlantic City, the swift,
184
7
-
AT THE FOOT OF MARKET STREET, PHILADELPHIA NEW FERRY HOUSE AND STATION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD
clean run of the present seems to fully express the progress which has been made in everything relating to seashore travel.
Pretty suburban settlements are growing up all along the Pennsyl- vania's route as a result of the improvements in service in recent years.
The handsome ferry building recently completed by the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company at the foot of Market Street, Philadelphia, is an ornament to the city. Provision is made in the design for the use of double decked ferry-boats in the future, and it is probable that in the course of time elevated trackage will extend to the limits of Camden, thus enabling engineers to make high speed from the instant of starting. 746 miles or about nine per cent. of the tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad are in the State of New Jersey. With the single exception of the line between Tren- ton and New York, the Atlantic City Division is the most important.
The equipment, speed and attention to the comfort of passengers upon the seashore trains are the same as exist upon the main line, and these features are unsurpassed upon any of the great railroads of the world.
SAND PIES
186
Atlantic City. Chapter frv1.
This new and influential organization was formed as the result of a meeting held at the Windsor Hotel, Atlantic City, in April of the present year (1899), Mr. G. Jason Waters, with whom the move- ment originated, being elected president. The purpose is to main- tain an annual horse show which will attract leading horse owners and the many interested in fine animals and equipages to this resort upon such occasions.
Atlantic City borse Sbow Association
The first of these exhibits was held July 13, 14 and 15 at the Inlet Park and proved an unqualified success. The exhibits included road- sters, hackneys, horses in harness, saddle horses, polo ponies, hunters and jumpers, four-in-hands, fire horses and apparatus, hotel coaches, delivery wagons, baggage wagons, etc.
The Club is composed of the following gentlemen : - G. Jason Waters, President ; Charles Evans, Vice-President ; Hon. Allen B. Endi- cott, Treasurer ; Walter J. Buzby, Secretary ; William S. Blitz, Assistant Secretary. Directors : G. Jason Waters, Hon. Joseph Thompson, Walter J. Buzby, F. W. Hemsley, J. H. Lippincott, H. W. Leeds, D. S. White, Jr., Edward S. Lee, A. O. Dayton, A. C. McClellan, Dr. J. R. Fleming, Jacob Myers, W. H. Catlin, A. J. Nutting, Morton W. Smith, Charles Evans, Hon. Allen B. Endicott, J. D. Southwick, Philip J. Leigh, Josiah White, J. H. Borton, Newlin Haines, W. E. Edge, Charles R. Myers, J. B. Reilly, Dr. M. D. Youngman, Charles Lackey, John G. Shreve, John M. Shaw. Executive Committee : G. Jason Waters, Hon. Allen B. Endicott, Charles Evans, Edward S. Lee.
187
...
WEAKFISH
RTE . THE P HAY OTSEAY
NE Y:RM
Atlantic City. Chapter troll.
[Extract from article in Therapeutic Garette, February 15, 1898, by William Edgar Darnall, A. B., M. D. : ]
Distinguished Testimony
Forty years ago, when the beautiful island on which Atlantic City is built was an arid waste of sand, Philadelphia physicians recognized the wonderful health-giving properties of the climate it possesses. At first an occasional patient courageously ventured to the place ; later, as hotels went up, they came in greater numbers ; at the present day the wide-spread fame of this resort draws health seekers from all parts of the world. Abun- dant evidence from most credible sources now exists as to its usefulness in many forms of disease. It will be my purpose in this paper to describe some of the local conditions and causes that contribute to this remarkable climate.
From meteorological tables, geographical and other data, a general opinion can be formed as to the nature of the climate of a section and whether it is favorable or unfavorable to health. It will generally be found, however, that there are strictly local conditions which should enter into consideration in determining whether a given locality is or is not the best place to send a case.
Che Climate of Atlantic City and its Useful= ness in Discase
" Climate is so dependent upon purely local conditions, pertaining often to only a limited area of territory, that it is impossible for any work based solely upon official data taken at fixed points to convey anything more than a generalization. These conditions can only be ascertained by a careful study of the localities claiming the patronage of the health seeker. The physician who prescribes climatic change for his patient on
1 89
A MISUNDER- STANDING
generalizations will benefit just about as large a pro- portion of them as if he filled his prescriptions for all his patients from the same bottle. The ideal health resort must have natural conditions on which to build." *
Geographically Atlantic City is situated on an island just off the coast of New Jersey, lying in lati- tude 39° 22'. This island, about three-quarters of a mile in width and ten miles in length, is completely surrounded by salt water-a point to be borne in mind. From its magnificent stretch of ocean-swept beach, an arm of water known as " The Thorough- fare" is sent around it, dividing it from the mainland. Beyond this, extending shoreward, there is a five-mile expanse of salt meadow land.
The coast of New Jersey has a general direction from southwest to northeast, but the beach front of the island trends more to the west, thus causing it to face almost to the south. It is possible that this may be one of the factors accounting for some of the characteristics of its climate which are not possessed even by other Jersey resorts.
The soil is porous and sandy. Water therefore soon soaks through it, leaving no standing pools. Even the natural atmospheric moisture seems to be absorbed by the dry sand. The growth on such a soil is necessarily scant, preventing the possibility of disease which lurks A Mistaken Toca
. in decayed vegetation.
It seems to be a common impression that the air at the seacoast, especially during the winter months, must necessarily be heavy and damp. This is not so by any means. One of the most distinctive features of the climate of Atlantic City is the dryness and bracing quality of the
" This paragraph by Dr. A. F. Mckay (Medical Record, Oct. 31, 1897) is so much to the point that I have quoted it bodily.
I90
atmosphere. There are of course occasional mists and foggy days ; but by far the greater part of the time the air is dry, producing a feeling of buoyancy, as if it were wafted from mountain heights.
The dryness of the climate is, however, best shown by an examina- tion of the rainfall. This will average about two and a half inches per month, or thirty inches annually. These figures are in striking contrast to those of other points along the coast. At none of them does the rain- fall approach so low a point, and at many it will be seen that the annual precipitation is from 50 to 60 inches.
The question of temperature is always an important one in the study of any climate. It has gotten to be a saying among weather observers that Atlantic City breaks all rules of meteorological calculation in this regard. Severe extremes of temperature are unknown here. Even in the coldest winter weather the middle of the day is usually pleasant, the temperature at noon rarely being below 40°. As this is the most convenient time for invalids to be out, it is fortunate that it is rarely cold enough to be disagree- able to them. On the coldest day of last winter (January 27, 1897) Atlantic City showed the highest temperature of any Eastern city, and the same average temperature for the day as New Orleans. On the other hand, during the most intense heat of July and August the thermometer seldom registered above 85°, while the average temperature this time of the year is 71.5°.
The records show a mean maximum temperature for three years of 57.7°, a mean minimum of only 45.5°, or an average annual temperature of 51.6°. A daily comparison will show that it is six to ten degrees warmer here in winter than in Philadelphia, and that much cooler in summer. There are several factors to be mentioned in accounting for this remarkable record, most important of which are : the winds ; the geograph- ical position of Atlantic City, which has been described ; and the Gulf Stream. During the winter months the prevailing direction of the winds is
Comparison of Temperature
from the west and north-west. These winds come to us across sixty miles of the sandy soil of New Jersey. They are not only warmed by the radia- tion of heat from it, but the sand absorbs their moisture and dries them. If the winds, on the other hand, are from the south, south-east, or east, they become heated as they pass over some three hundred miles of Gulf Stream. This leaves the north-easters as the only disagreeable winds we have. Blowing down between the Gulf Stream and the coast they have no modifying influence. These, however, are of rare occurrence, and do not last longer than a day or two at a time.
The nearness of such a large body of ocean water is itself an im- portant agent in the modification of the climate. Sea water possesses a fairly constant temperature, which does not fluctuate much from winter to summer.
During the rigors of winter, when the earth and air are colder than the water, which remains constant, this fact causes the water to serve as a blanket by which the heat that would be lost from the soil by radiation is retained. Temperature is thus elevated in winter. In summer, however, the opposite effect is produced, for the atmosphere is now warmer than the water, and when everything is roasting inland the temperature is made refreshingly cool here by reason of the evaporation from the surface of so large a body of water, and the breezes wafted from it. In this way the climate is made more equable, and less subject to extreme or sudden changes of temperature either in winter or summer.
Days Bright and Sunny
In the consideration of a place to which patients may be referred for their health, it is highly necessary that a locality be chosen which has a majority of its days bright and sunny. Dark days depress the invalid and deprive him of the sun, besides shutting him in the house, so that he also loses the benefit derived from outdoor exercise. A casual reference to statistics disproves the common impression that life by the sea must be bleak and dreary. It is safe to say that there are at least 265 days in the
192
year on which an invalid could be out enjoying the delights of the famous Boardwalk. This leaves but 27.5 per cent. of the days-a little more than one-fourth-on which the sun hides his face entirely. Quite a percentage of these occur in March, the disagreeable month everywhere, and such weather is usually of very short duration. Most of the time the weather is bright and sunny, the air bracing and exhilarating, and the winds tempered with a softness that is surprising ; while during the autumn no wealth of words can paint the glory of the sea and climate.
A JUNE MORNING
Undoubtedly the most important modi- fier of the climate of the Atlantic States is the influence of the Gulf Stream, which bears a peculiar rela- tion to the coast oppo- site Atlantic City. It has been determined by the United States Geodetic Survey that there is a mutual relation between the moisture, temperature and barometric pressure on land and the varying velocities and different positions of the currents of the Gulf Stream. The surface velocity, according to Pilsbury, is sensibly affected by barometric differ- ences, forming low and high areas of pressure. These currents have also daily, monthly and yearly variations in position, and each motion is no doubt governed by laws that are as yet but dimly understood. The Gulf
193
Stream follows the declination of the moon like a needle does a magnet. Its axis moves from west to east as the moon proceeds from high declination to low, and crosses the equator. Its volume expands and contracts. Even its temper- ature, which is about 80°, presents variations within narrow limits.
The conclusions adopted by Professor Bache from the observations taken under his direction were as follows : " That between Cape Florida and New York the Gulf Stream is divided
READY FOR A PLUNGE
Protesser Bache's
Conclusions
into several bands of higher and lower temperature, of which the axis (of the stream) is the warmest, the temperature falling rapidly inshore and more slowly outside. This is not only the case at the surface, but with modifications easily understood at considerable depths. That between the coast and the stream there is a fall in temperature so abrupt that it has been aptly called the cold wall. The cold wall extends with varying dimensions and changes of its peculiar features along the coast from Cape Florida, northward as far as examined. Inside this wall of colder temperature there is another increase, while outside the warmest band, which is next the cold wall, there is another warm and one other cold band."
The innermost of these warm bands approaches as near as sixty-five miles from the coast, opposite Atlantic City. Not only its proximity to us here must be noticed, but also its course. At this point it takes a bend running a little more than a half degree of latitude to the north-east, then bending due east in latitude 40°. A certain outlying portion of Gulf Stream water, therefore, setting in the direction of this current will, when it makes this sudden turn, continue the original direction of the current, be- ing deflected as a tangent from the curve of the stream. The beach of Atlantic City with its southern exposure is situated just where it would
194
receive with open embrace whatever modifying influences might be derived from such a current setting in this direction. What leads me to believe this fact has some bearing on the question is that no other seaside resort even along the Jersey coast possesses exactly the climate we have here.
3Formation of the Gulf Stream
It may be of some interest to digress here a little in order to describe briefly the two generally accepted scientific theories of the causes of the formation of this remarkable body of water known as the Gulf Stream. These are the (a) Wind Theory and the (b) Density Theory.
(a) The Wind Theory, of which Pilsbury is an advocate, supposes that any permanent wind blowing constantly in the same direction across a body of water will cause such friction between the surface particles and the lower strata of the air that these particles will tend to move with the wind ; also the wind caught behind the crests of waves would push these along. The friction thus produced among the surface particles of water is trans- mitted from layer to layer, with continually diminishing force as the depth increases. It was calculated by Agassiz that 100,000 years was ample time to allow friction of this sort to be communicated from the surface to the bottom-a depth say, of 2000 fathoms. It is held therefore that the trade winds blowing in the same direction for ages, over the Atlantic Ocean, have by this friction process, slow in itself yet attaining a mighty momentum as the centuries have rolled on, been able to move this vast body of water along in a constant stream.
(b) The advocates of the Density Theory hold that ocean currents owe their origin to the difference between the specific gravity of sea water at one place and sea water at another place ; whether this be due to difference of saltness, tempera- ture or what-not, it disturbs equilibrium so that currents result.
195
The effect of heat, as at the equator, causes a lesser density of the surface water, while the effect of the cold of the polar regions causes a greater density. This latter being heavier sinks as it is cooled by reason of its greater specific gravity and diminishing bulk, and sinking, causes a flow of water to be drawn into its basin from the surrounding surface area of water. Such a supply must come from a yet greater distance ; and so this cooling causes a set of water in the direction of the poles, when a corres-
ponding deep-down current of cold water sets toward the equator to be again heated.
Evaporation and
Precipitation
Also precipitation over the central portion of the water hemisphere of the earth is greatly in excess of evaporation. Northwards evaporation is in excess of precipitation. The water thus drawn from polar seas by evaporation is quickly hurried down to the areas of low barometric pressure, where precipitation follows. But its loss from the polar regions makes the basin referred to above still larger, and so adds an additional impetus to the set of the water northward. The disturbance of equilibrium thus pro- duced between equatorial and polar water, by cooling and evaporation, causes a steady current to flow from gulf to poles, and a return under- current from poles to the equator.
These are in brief the two most prominent among the many theories that have been advanced as to the formation of the Gulf Stream. It must be true that warm water comes from the equator and cold from the polar regions, and whatever be the mode of transfer the modification of climate is due to its presence rather than to the method of its delivery.
But to return to Atlantic City. After having studied the meteoro- logical conditions and geographical environments that conduce to its unique climate, the practical question naturally arises, What is it good for ? What classes of disease will receive benefit by a sojourn in such a climate ? Climatology is a subject beset with many and peculiar difficulties. While a great and growing department of therapy, it is as yet but dimly understood
196
by the bulk of the profession. Formerly climatic change was only thought of as a remedial agent in respiratory diseases. Now every chronic deviation from health is studied with reference to change. Such change, however, must not be recommended in a haphazard way. There must be some rational basis underlying it if any good is to be derived therefrom.
Conic and Alterative Climate
The climate of Atlantic City is a dry one, tonic and alterative in its qualities. Its air is both a stimulant and a sedative. Actual experience drawn from many sources has demonstrated that those suffering from almost all functional disturbances, nervous prostration, overwork of both mind and body, depression from any cause, indiges- tion, insomnia, or any torpid state of the system, as well as strumous conditions and diatheses, are much benefited by the bracing qualities of the air. Residence here has proven of inestimable value to that elderly class of cases whose health and strength seem to have forsaken them, making them chronic invalids. Long-lasting and obstinate diseases of women rebellious to treatment at home oftentimes
show marked improvement or disappear en- tirely under the alterative influence of the air here.
AFTER THE DIP
There is a class of cases in the practice of nearly every physician whose management becomes very trying to his skill. These are the con- valescents from severe and exhausting diseases or operations who seem to reach a standstill. They remain without improvement of vitality or appetite till the patience of the family becomes exhausted, while the physician pursues resources clear to the end of his string without avail. Such cases usually have an appetite before they have been here twenty- four hours ; they seem to improve almost as they cross the meadows. As
197
soon as they come under the influence of the stimulating air oxidation is increased. Its soporific effect is at the same time a sedative to a disordered nervous system. Its purity and freedom from unsanitary conditions and miasmatic influences allows more rapid elimination of deleterious matter from the system.
On the other hand, the softness of the air and its balmy warmth soothes the stiffened joints of the gouty and rheumatic ; relieves the dis- tress of emphysema and asthma, especially those cases coming from inland or from high altitudes. There are some asthmatics, however, whose difficulties are aggravated by coming here. These should seek the warmer, more sedative climate of the far South. The cases that do not do well at the seashore will oftentimes be relieved by the mountains, and vice
Immunity frem hay Fever
versa.
Whether due to the antiseptic and alterative qualities of the atmos- phere, or to the absence of the pollen of vegetation, sufferers from hay- fever enjoy comparative immunity from their malady. Atlantic City has been referred to as a " hay-fever paradise !" Most noteworthy perhaps and most striking is the number of people living here who have been cured of chronic bronchial and catarrhal affections. This is no doubt brought about by the alterative influence of iodine, bromine, chlorine, oxygen, and the ammonia salts, with which every inspiration they breathe is laden. At the same time it must be remembered that the air is pure and free from the dust of a city, factory smoke, exhalations from slum districts, and other impurities that serve to keep up an irritation once started in the respiratory tract.
Skin diseases are not common here. They are often mitigated or disappear entirely, for the atmosphere, while dry, is not irritating to the skin like that of high climates.
The profession formerly held that high altitudes were better adapted to beginning cases of phthisis. The trend of opinion, however, now seems
198
to be that neither wind, humidity nor altitude in themselves and apart from other factors play so important a part as do the purity of the air, its percent- age of free ozone, and the absence of unsanitary conditions. Cold, humid winds chill the surface of the skin by conducting away its heat, and drive the blood inward. It is easy to see that this does an already inflamed lung no good. Such weather should always be avoided therefore by a consump- tive. Raw or penetrating days will occur at times in every climate. Atlan- tic City, however, has a very small percentage of such days, and they soon give way to sunny weather again.
Much may be said in favor of this place as a resort for tubercular patients. Not a small advantage is its proximity to the large centers of population. Long journey's from home are always depressing to invalids. The best results may often be obtained by sending the sick one to a place near enough to his home for him to enjoy the com- fort of friends, and where the change will not be too radical.
The following points have been enumerated as reasons why the well known climates of New Mexico and Southern California are model ones for phthisis, viz. : ( In a dry aseptic atmos- phere ; (2) a maximum of sunshine and a minimum of cloud ; 13 a slight variation of temperature between extremes of heat and cold ; (4) a mini- mum likelihood of sudden changes of temperature ; (5) a light, porous soil.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.