The History of the Atlantic City Boardwalk

Fun Facts about this historical city.

The Atlantic City Boardwalk history is a rich and daring tale of adventure. During the Roaring Twenties, the Atlantic City Boardwalk established itself as "The World's Playground" thanks to free-flowing liquor, gaming and an exhilarating nightlife. Today, the city continues the grand tradition of captivating visitors with its invigorating ocean-side entertainment. Take a walk down memory lane with Caesars Entertainment to learn the history of this magnificent boardwalk.

The Development Of A Great City

Atlantic City began as a meek summertime haven of the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans. Traveling the Old Indian Trail, the tribe was the first to inhabit Absecon Island which sits on the Jersey Shore of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the 1850s, a doctor and a civil engineer teamed up to build the first train to the city and named the Atlantic City streets. The arrival of the first train in 1854 stood as the catalyst for modernization of the city.

Made famous the world over by the board game Monopoly, Atlantic City's streets that run parallel to the ocean took the names of great bodies of water — Pacific, Atlantic, Baltic, Mediterranean, Adriatic and Arctic.

One Of The Best Boardwalks In America

The new seaside location quickly began to draw visitors; however the abundance of sand proved pesky for early businesses along the beach. To help keep sand out of the doorways of hotels, restaurants and shops, train conductor and hotel owner Alexander Boardman conceived the idea of creating a wooden walkway, which would later take on his name. With the backing of the town's council and citizens, the first boardwalk in America — a mere 8 feet wide wooden walkway — was built in 1870.

Today, the Atlantic City Boardwalk is often cited as one of the greatest boardwalks in the country.

Atlantic City Has Whisky, Wine, Song & Slot Machines

Under the leadership of crime boss Enoch "Nucky" Johnson during the 1920s, Atlantic City quickly began to grow into the leading party destination that it is today. When the rest of the country was restricted by the liquor-free lifestyle of the Prohibition era, Johnson openly invited Americans to enjoy free-wheeling alcohol, gambling and entertainment along The Boardwalk. Atlantic City was always an innovative town filled with a pioneering energy and started many of America's long-standing traditions such as the Miss America Pageant, which was held on The Boardwalk in 1933.

Johnson reigned as supreme boss of Atlantic City for 30 years and constantly welcomed the darker side of the city's reputation. He once boasted: "We have whisky, wine, women, song and slot machines. I won't deny it, and I won't apologize for it."

Today, the Atlantic City Boardwalk's provocative atmosphere of intoxicating entertainment lives on within the titillating nightclubs and bars, breathtaking pools, and luxurious casinos like Caesars Entertainment.

So come take a stroll down the grandfather of boardwalks and immerse yourself in spirit and nostalgia of the Atlantic City Boardwalk history with Caesars. Book your stay today.