USA > New Jersey > The New Jersey coast in three centuries; history of the New Jersey coast with genealogical and historic-biographical appendix, Vol. II > Part 12
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But it is for its seashore advantages -- those due to nature's bounty and those the work of man-that Atlantic City is favorably known throughout the world. It is difficult to realize that although the history of the place "as a seashore resort dates from the time of its founding in 1854, it was not until more than twenty years later that it became widely known as a winter health resort and sanitarium. It is scarcely more than a half- century ago that the beach was the scene of "beach parties" conducted after the most primitive fashion. These were made up of country folk living in the vicinity who came in boats, and, having rounded Rum Point, in the Inlet, they hoisted their flag at the masthead as a signal to Aunt Judith Adams. She was the queen of the island and the inn-keeper, and when she saw the flag she busied herself preparing dinner for the party.
These beach parties were the "events of the season" in those days. Dr. T. K. Reed, in his reminiscences of the early days, tells us that down on the beach, at low tide, the visitors danced to the soul-stirring strains of the "Fisher's Hornpipe," discoursed by a single fiddle. "There was none of your mincing and smirking, but genuine fun and frolic-a regular
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jump-up-and-down, cross-over-Jonathan, and figure-in-Jemima terpsichor- ean fling! At high tide they all bathed. The hilarity of the occasion cul- minated when the young men of the party carried the blushing and scream- ing maidens to the top of the sand-hills, and, tying their feet together, rolled them down to the water's edge.
"Where shall we find, in the refinement of the present age, a sufficient compensation for the loss of this rude form of jollity? They had no bath houses in those days, both sexes going among the sand-hills to disrobe. In time this came to be regarded as inconvenient and embarrassing; where- fore some liberal spirits engaged Uncle Ryan Adams to build them a bath house. When they came to the beach the next time they started down to take a dip in the surf, and, when nearly there, it occurred to one of the party that they had forgotten the key to the bath house, and forthwith a messenger was sent back to fetch the key. He returned in a few minutes, saying there was no lock on the door. Reaching the spot indicated by Uncle Ryan, the party found, to their dismay, that the new "building" was a frail structure made entirely of brush, with the blue canopy of heaven for a roof. But it answered their purpose, and that style of bath house remained in vogue until after the birth of Atlantic City, when Joshua Note converted an old wreck into the first frame bath house, near the foot of Massachusetts avenue. Abreast of the primitive bath house was the wreck of the "Vanolinda," and at various points along the beach there were thirteen other wrecks."
A wonderful transition from that day to the present! Where stood the primitive brush bathing houses are now ornaments of architectural skill, and near by a magnificent casino, superior in its appointments to any sim- ilar establishment in the country. Two ocean piers reach out into the sea, and upon these one may stroll while the waves splash on either side.
From the balcony of the lighthouse, near the eastern end of the prom- enade, a grand panorama of sea and land is presented. Looking north and east across the extended miles of salt marshes, with their winding bays and estuaries, one sees the pretty buildings and the fertile farms of the mainland. Westward is the beautiful city, with its splendid hotels and ex- tensive boarding houses, its hundreds of private cottages and the long line of shade trees skirting the sidewalks ; while beyond, to the east and south, is the great ocean, reaching far out into the distant horizon.
The Casino, located on the Boardwalk, overlooking the sea. near the foot of Indian avenue, affords various description of amusements for adults and all reasonable attractions for the little folks. Portions of the building are especially adapted for the use of the many invalids and con- valescents who find new life in the health-giving ozone during the spring
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months. On all sides of the assembly room are sun parlors, reading and smoking rooms. In the one-story extension at the rear are well-lighted and well ventilated dressing rooms for surf-bathing, luxuriously furn- ished, with hot and cold sea-water baths, and also well-appointed dress- ing rooms for the patrons of the ad- joining natatorium. The large swim- ming pool is built of brick, with con- crete bottom and white-marble sides, and is the finest on the continent. Be- yond the pool are bowling alleys and shuffle-board parlors. The Casino is conducted on the club plan, but ad- mission is by tickets instead of intro- duction.
BOARDWALK, SHOWING STEELE PIER,
But the Plaisance-the one great resort-is the Boardwalk, a grand structure, four miles in length, with a width of twenty-four feet and twelve feet above the beach. This was the creation of Atlantic City, and is without an equal in the world.
The spectacle here afforded during the summer season challenges the admiration of the spectator, no matter how much traveled, and tempts his pen to attempt description of what is indescribable. Night and day is an ever-moving panorama of bewildering kaleidoscopic form and color. The dress of the women rep- resents all conceivable creations of the costume maker and milliner, and the sprightliness and natural and graceful abandon of the wearers de- lights the eye, while the ear is pleased with their babel of merry laughing voices. On the beach gaz- ing oceanward, watching the sail
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of a graceful pleasure craft, or the black smoke-trail of a distant steamer, they lounge in bevies enjoying the sunshine, the hot rays robbed of their intensity by the ocean breeze, while about them countless children burrow in the sand.
At the fashionable bathing hour, shortly before noon, the beach is: fringed its length with a line of daintily clad beings, whose hilarious glee rises and falls with the ever-inflowing and receding waves upon whose crest they float for a brief instant, only to be overwhelmed the next.
At night the Boardwalk is entrancingly beautiful. Under the light of myriad electric lamps, the variegated dress of the countless throng of promenaders is bewitchingly charming, and the picture finds a beautiful setting in the background of bazaars, the haunted forests and mystic swings, the toboggan slide and the switchback, and the many other points of diver- sion about which the constant movers swarm and eddy.
Atlantic City had its real beginning early in 1852, when Samuel Rich- ards, a glass manufacturer who operated works at Jackson, on the Camden & Amboy Railroad, conceived the idea of building a railroad to the sea. He was far-seeing, for his plans contemplated not only the securing of transportation facilities for his own product, but the conversion of large tracts of waste lands, of which he and other branches of his family were owners, and the opening up of southern New Jersey by establishing an at- tractive terminal at the sea for bathing and general recreation. His associ- ates in the enterprise were Dr. Jonathan Pitney, Hon. Andrew K. Hay, Ste- phen Colwell, John C. DaCosta, Joseph Porter, William Coffin and Enoch Doughty. The first projecting visit to the solitary marshes and sand-hills of what is now Atlantic City was made in the early part of 1852; an act of incorporation for a railroad company was obtained, and in September of the same year a contract was awarded for the construction of a road be- tween the Delaware River and Absecon Beach. The engineer was Rich- ard B. Osborne. July 1, 1854, the completion of the road (then known as the Camden & Atlantic, and now as the West Jersey & Sea Shore Railroad) was signalized by the arrival of the first train of passenger coaches. In the same year a postoffice was established, with Robert B. Leeds as the first postmaster. Meanwhile Bedloe's Hotel and a little house called the Cottage Retreat had been erected, and the United States Hotel was so early completed that the first excursionists, numbering about six hundred, were given dinner there. The next year the Surf House, Con- gress Hall and two cottages on Tennessee avenue were built, and these were followed by the Mansion House and Schaufler's Hotel.
With the opening of the railroad began the operations of the Camden
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
& Atlantic Land Company, which purchased the Leeds lands, paying seven- teen dollars and fifty cents an acre. These were placed on the market, and the development of the city began, but slowly, several years elapsing before it attracted much attention, even in Philadelphia. Meantime many who had hoped fondly and labored arduously for the advancement of the place became discouraged, and those who still persisted were all but overwhelmed by the adversities which beset them.
The corporate history of Atlantic City is to be dated from April 15, I853, when the town was platted and streets were dedicated to public use by the proprietors. The deed was signed by the principal land-owners, namely. Chalkley S. Leeds, Robert B. Leeds, William Neleigh, Daniel L. Collins, Richard Hackett, John Leeds, Steelman Leeds, D. D). Rhodes, J. N. Michener and William Coffin, the last named representing the Camden & Atlantic Railroad Company. The railroad company wished to have Atlantic avenue 150 feet wide and the cross avenues 75 feet, but the land-owners objected, and finally, against their own judgment, and in spite of the pro- tests of the engineer, Mr. Osborne. the company yielded to the demands of the land-owners. The width of Atlantic avenue was reduced to 100 feet, and most of the other avenues to 50 and 60 feet.
The city was incorporated by act of the legislature March 3, 1854. Various names for it were suggested-Ocean City, Seabeach, Surfing, Strand and Bath. However, Mr. Osborne's railroad map, submitted to the board of railroad directors in January, 1853. bore the name "Atlantic City," and this was happily approved at the incorporation of the city. By a curious error the seal of the city bore the date of March 18th, until 1897, when it was replaced by the present beautiful design of Mr. A. M. Heston. The escutcheon consists of a shell in which is a view of the ocean, a section of the Boardwalk and three yachts, supported by two dolphins ; two Grecian maids, personifying health, holding the caduceus, meaning power, wisdom and activity, in one hand, and flowers of pleasure in the other : surmounted by two dolphins and the lighthouse. The motto, "Consilio et Prudentia" (Counsel and Wisdom), completes the design. The city colors are blue and white.
The first election was held May 1, 1854. The ballots were dropped into a cigar box, and were but eighteen in number. Chalkley S. Leeds was elected mayor. July 3d the council met for organization, but there was not in the village an officer qualified to administer the oath of office. One of the aldermen was sworn in at Mays Landing, and September 6th he, in turn, swore in his associates, and the council organized in legal form. Leeds was re-elected to the mayoralty in 1855, but he resigned in the imidst of his term of office, and was succeeded by John G. W. Avery. In
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
1869 the now existent boundaries of the city were fixed by an act of the legislature. In 1881 two wards were created, and in 1887 increased pop- ulation necessitated two additional wards. A board of education was formed in 1886, and a board of health in 1888.
The first effort in the line of public improvements was in 1856, when city scrip amounting to $1,500 was issued to be expended in grading and street construction. In 1857 a house was erected for the conven- ience of excursionists. This was on Atlantic avenue and it stood until 1870, when a more commodious structure was built at the foot of Missouri avenue. A long platform for the use of excursionists was built on Atlantic avenue, and this led to litigation between the railroad offi- cials and the city authorities, which was continued until 1881, when the difficulties were adjusted.
! In 1870 the first "Boardwalk" (and the finest in the world of its kind and for its purpose) was built. This was eight feet wide, and its cost was $5,000, for which city scrip was issued. Many of the older resi- dents antagonized the project, and it was carried to success by the young men. A second walk, sixteen feet in width, was built in 1879, was de- stroyed during the great storms in the winter of 1883-4, and was almost immediately replaced, but enlarged, at a cost under $10,000. September 10, 1889, this walk was almost com- pletely wrecked by storm, but was re- built, higher and stronger, and the completion of the new structure was celebrated May 10, 1890, with a grand torchlight and fireworks pro-
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BOARDWALK, SHOWING YOUNG'S PIER.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
cession of militia, firemen, civic societies and citizens. The total cost of this improvement, including purchase of necessary lands and buildings, was $53,928.50.
In 1896 the act authorizing the construction of the last Boardwalk was amended, and under it a new one of steel was contracted for. The contract was awarded to the Phoenix Bridge Company, of Philadelphia, and work was begun on April 24, 1896. The formality of a public dedica- tion of this new walk was observed on July 8, 1896, when the golden nail was driven by Mrs. Stoy, wife of the mayor. There was a great public assembly on the lawn or park opposite the Hotel Brighton, where speeches. were delivered by Congressman Gardner and others. In the evening there was a parade of citizens, military companies and fire companies on the Boardwalk, and a display of fireworks. The walk was not entirely com- pleted until the following September, having a temporary railing during most of the summer. The entire cost, including legal expenses, was $143,- 986.38. The Chelsea extension of this walk was built in the spring of 1898, at a cost of about $17,000. The old walk from the foot of Ver- mont avenue northward was torn down and an improved one was built nearer the beach in 1899-1900, at a cost of about $10,000.
The official designation of "Boardwalk" was given it by resolution of the city council, August 17, 1896.
A gas and water company was incorporated in 1873. The works and franchise were subsequently sold by a receiver, and in 1880 the company was reorganized. In 1900 the legislature authorized the city to expend one and one-half million dollars for the purchase and extension of the water- works system, but little more than two-thirds of this amount was actually used. In 1895 the then existing plant was purchased at an outlay of $771,- 782, and the entire cost, including extensions, was $1,098,500. The nucleus of the present fire department was the United States Fire Company, organ- ized December 4, 1874, and the first steam fire engine was procured in 188I. The sewerage system was begun in 1884.
The first city hall was built in 1875. This edifice was replaced in 1900 by a fine structure erected at a cost of $90,000, and this was destroyed by fire in 1893.
The first horse-car street railway company was organized in 1869, but no track was laid. In 1874 the charter issued to this company was revived, and the Atlantic City Horse Car Railroad Company was organized and rails were laid in October. In 1889 electric power was introduced.
The first religious services held in Atlantic City were by the Meth- odists, who in 1856 built a house of worship, which was dedicated in the
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following year. In 1850 the Presbyterians and Roman Catholics also erected church buildings.
The first newspaper printed in the town was the "Atlantic City Daily Review," founded by A. L. English, a native of the county. The first issue was dated July 1, 1872, and it was published every day in the week except Sunday until September Ist, when it suspended. Publication was resumed July Ist following, and the paper again suspended September Ist. In the following October a weekly cdition was begun, and this has ap- peared regularly until the present time.
Mr. English was a most capable journalist and an energetic public- spirited citizen, and his influence was potent in advancing the interests of the city during the days when it was making endeavor to become a per- manent and prosperous place of residence and business as well as a summer resort. March 1, 1884, Mr. English sold the paper to Alfred M. Heston and John G. Shreve, who labored no less industriously and successfully than did their predecessor. Mr. Heston retired from the paper in 1887, and the paper has since that time been conducted by Mr. Shreve. The daily edition was printed only during the summer months until 1888, when its every week-day issue during the year began and has been successfully continued from that time.
A peculiar interest attaches to the history of the "Times-Democrat and Star-Gazette," published by the Daily Union Printing Company, of which John F. Hall is manager and principal owner. This journal rep- resents four different publications. The "Democrat" was printed at Abse- con in 1861. The "Times" was published at Hammonton, by General Joseph Barbiere, and it was removed to Atlantic City in 1878. The "Star" had its origin in Mays Landing, and the "Gazette" in Egg Harbor City. The company now owning these consolidated journals also conducts the "Daily Union."
In the development of the city the railroads have played a very im- portant part. In 1876 the increasing importance of the place made another railroad desirable, and the Philadelphia & Atlantic City Railroad Company was incorporated. The construction of a road was commenced in April, 1877, and the first through train was run on July 25th of the same year. It is now operated by what is commonly known as the Reading Company, of Philadelphia. The competing facilities offered by this rond have been of the greatest benefit to the city, and have aided materially in the develop- ment of the place. Early in the spring of 1880 the West Jersey Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad extended its line to Atlantic City. The opening of this line was of exceptional benefit to the city, since a direct route to New York City, without change of cars, was thereby afforded. 8*
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Some years afterward the Pennsylvania Railroad Company built a bridge across the Delaware River above Camden, and began running through trains to Philadelphia and the West by this route on April 19, 1896.
At the founding of the city, in 1854, the population was but 100, and in 1856, when the first public improvements were inaugurated, it was only 375. In the decade ending in 1870 it had increased from 687 to 1,043. In the next decade the annual increase was 300 to 600. From 1880 to 1890 it had increased from 5,477 to 13,037, and in 1900 it was 27,838.
The administration of municipal affairs is vested in a mayor and board of councilmen, and there are numerous departments and officers charged with the various duties necessary to the efficient maintenance of a great city.
The water commissioners have charge of waterworks which cost $1,098,500, with fifty-eight miles of water pipes and 519 hydrants.
The fire department includes forty-one paid employees, thirty-seven pieces of apparatus and thirty-nine horses. The apparatus is as follows : Eight engines, three chemical engines, three combination chemical and hose wagons, six hose wagons, two aerial trucks, one combination chemical truck and hose wagon, two patrol wagons, six supply wagons, one hand carriage, three parade wagons, one crab and one chief's wagon. Besides these there are one life net, seventeen hand extinguishers, 17.750 feet of fire hose, 2,550 feet of chemical hose and 150 feet of rope for use of fire wardens.
The police force consists of a chief and thirty-six officers and patrol- men in winter and forty-six in summer.
The public schools are well-appointed and six in number, the oldest being at Pennsylvania and Arctic avenues. The original building was re- moved in 1887, and a new brick building erected on the site at a cost of $20,000. The other buildings are on Indiana avenue near Arctic avenue, on Texas avenue and Arctic avenue, on Arctic avenue near New Jersey avenue, an imposing brick and stone high-school building at the corner of Illinois and Arctic avenues, finished in 1896, and the Chelsea school, at the corner of Brighton and Arctic avenues, finished in 1897. The build- ings are well heated, comfortably furnished and connected with the sewer system. According to the school census of 1901 the number of school chil- dren in Atlantic City was 4,760. A new high-school building, costing $88,000, is located at Ohio and Pacific avenues. The site for this building cost $50,000. Another school building is also completed on the West Side, costing $20,000.
The Friends' Select School ha's three departments, kindergarten, pri- mary and intermediate. It is located at Pacific and South Carolina avenues.
The leading religious denominations maintain houses of worship, some
OLIVET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
ASCENSION EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
'STAR OF THE SEA' R.C. CHURCH.
ST. PAUL M.E. CHURCH,
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IST M. E. CHURCH.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
IST BAPTIST CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
of which are large and of admirable design. The First Methodist church, dedicated in 1857, has been enlarged and renovated. There are also St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, built in 1898; the Central Methodist Episcopal church, built in 1896; Christ Methodist Protestant church and Trinity Methodist Protestant church. The Presbyterian churches are three in number. The one at the corner of Pacific and Pennsylvania avenues was erected in 1856, enlarged some years later, and was very much improved in the spring of 1887. The German Presbyterian church was dedicated in 1884 and enlarged in 1896. The Olivet Presbyterian church at Pacific and Tennessee avenues was dedicated March 27, 1898. St. Nicholas Roman Catholic church was built in 1856 on Atlantic avenue near Tennessee avenue. In the spring of 1887 the building was removed to its present location on Pacific avenue near Tennessee avenue. Many changes and improvements were made, and it is now a large and very comfortable church edifice. St. Mary's church edifice (Roman Catholic), at the corner of Atlantic and Texas avenues, was dedicated in 1897. This church was formerly known as St. Monica's, and was destroyed by fire December 2, 1896. St. James' Protestant Episcopal church was enlarged in 1874. The Church of the Ascension, also Protestant Episcopal, originally a frame building, was com- pleted in 1879, and stood on Pacific avenue, below Michigan avenue, but was removed in 1886 to its present location on Kentucky avenue, at the corner of Pacific avenue. The present brick edifice was completed in 1893. The Baptist church on Pacific avenue was completed in July, 1882, and en- larged and improved in 1893. It is a neat structure, capable of seating about five hundred people. The seats are arranged in amphitheatre style. Bethany Baptist church, in the lower part of the city, was organized in 1900. St. Andrew's Evangelical Lutheran church ( English) is at the cor- ner of Michigan and Pacific avenues. The society was organized in June, 1887, by. the Rev. William Ashmead Schaeffer, D. D., of Philadelphia. The first service was held in the upper room of a building on Atlantic avenue above Tennessee avenue. The congregation afterwards bought the Philo- patrian Hall, on New York avenue, and changed the name to St. Andrew's Hall. In 1892 it bought the lot at Michigan and Pacific avenues and built the present edifice thereon. The Friends' meeting house was built in 1872, and a Hebrew synagogue was erected in 1892.
There are four national banks where letters of credit may be made payable-the Atlantic City National Bank, the Second National Bank, the Union National Bank and the Chelsea National Bank. There are also two trust companies-the Atlantic Safe Deposit and Trust Company and the Guarantee Trust Company.
The newspapers are the "Daily Union," daily except Sunday, and the
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"Times-Democrat and Star-Gazette," weekly, both owned by the Daily Union Printing Company, and the "Atlantic City Daily Press," daily; the "Atlantic Review," daily except Sunday, and weekly; the "Sunday Gazette," published on Sunday only ; and the "Atlantic City Freie Presse," a German weekly.
A careful statistician has shown that the amount of capital invested in hotel property in the United States is second only to that invested in railroads. In no other town on the continent do the hotel interests so pre- dominate as in Atlantic City. For about fifteen years prior to railroads entering the city, one tavern on the beach supplied the wants of the few people who came from the great cities to pass a brief season in fishing, hunting and boating. With the opening of railways half a dozen larger houses came into existence, also the noted United States Hotel, the yet larger Surf House, the Mansion and Congress Hall, which attracted thou- sands of summer visitors. At the present time the hotels and well kept boarding houses are fully five hundred in number, and represent a value of not less than ten million dollars.
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