Atlantic City- “America’s Playground”
Part 2
By Joey Rickert
A birds-eye view of Atlantic City
Please make sure you've read part one before reading this. Thanks! Here is a link to the first part.
On to the second half of the board- we’ll start with the reds, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. Coincidentally, a Kentucky Fried Chicken now stands on Kentucky Avenue. Long ago, these streets were a nightlife spot that were home to Clifton’s Club Harlem. One of Atlantic City’s greatest hotels, the Claridge, once stood on the corner of Boardwalk and Illinois. The second gambling was legalized in Atlantic City, the Claridge was demolished and was rebuilt into- you guessed it- a casino. Another great hotel stood at the intersection of Boardwalk and Indiana, the Brighton. This was the city’s only hotel in the 1920’s, and only the rich and famous stayed here. They even had their own private railway system to deliver guests here! Predictably, it was torn down and turned into another casino/hotel. The next color group, the yellows, has a very interesting history. Marvin Gardens was another mistake by Darrow; it should have been spelled Marven, with an E instead of an I! Marven Gardens is also unique in the fact that it is the only space that isn’t a street; it is actually a redoubt in Margate, a city southern to Atlantic. On the board, it is right next to the “Go to jail” space. Appropriately, the Gardens have their own police force.
Take a right turn on the board. Following the yellows are the greens, Pacific, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. These three streets were high-brow in the 1920’s and 1930’s, and were the site of the first casino in Atlantic City. Finally, on to the last color group, Boardwalk and Park Place! In the 1800’s, a hotel owner named Alexander Boardman suggested to some people that a series of wooden boards to make a path be constructed to prevent his hotel guests from tracking sand, dirt, and rocks. This was one of the very first boardwalks ever built. The boardwalk attracted more hotels to Atlantic City. Soon, it was made permanent on concrete piers. By comparison, Park Place is a pebble of sand on a beach. It is NOT a park, like its name implies, but a street. On Boardwalk and Park Place in real life, there is a bronze plaque commemorating Charles Darrow.
Here’s a fun fact- You know the card that says, “Win second prize in a beauty contest- collect $10”? In 1929, the Convection Center was made at Mississippi and Boardwalk to bring people to the city in winter. It is big enough to play football inside, and presidents have been nominated in it! The Miss America pageant was held here in 1987. The second place winner received $20,000. It’s amazing to see how much Atlantic City has changed since Darrow’s time. This is just one of the millions of examples!
On to the second half of the board- we’ll start with the reds, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. Coincidentally, a Kentucky Fried Chicken now stands on Kentucky Avenue. Long ago, these streets were a nightlife spot that were home to Clifton’s Club Harlem. One of Atlantic City’s greatest hotels, the Claridge, once stood on the corner of Boardwalk and Illinois. The second gambling was legalized in Atlantic City, the Claridge was demolished and was rebuilt into- you guessed it- a casino. Another great hotel stood at the intersection of Boardwalk and Indiana, the Brighton. This was the city’s only hotel in the 1920’s, and only the rich and famous stayed here. They even had their own private railway system to deliver guests here! Predictably, it was torn down and turned into another casino/hotel. The next color group, the yellows, has a very interesting history. Marvin Gardens was another mistake by Darrow; it should have been spelled Marven, with an E instead of an I! Marven Gardens is also unique in the fact that it is the only space that isn’t a street; it is actually a redoubt in Margate, a city southern to Atlantic. On the board, it is right next to the “Go to jail” space. Appropriately, the Gardens have their own police force.
Take a right turn on the board. Following the yellows are the greens, Pacific, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. These three streets were high-brow in the 1920’s and 1930’s, and were the site of the first casino in Atlantic City. Finally, on to the last color group, Boardwalk and Park Place! In the 1800’s, a hotel owner named Alexander Boardman suggested to some people that a series of wooden boards to make a path be constructed to prevent his hotel guests from tracking sand, dirt, and rocks. This was one of the very first boardwalks ever built. The boardwalk attracted more hotels to Atlantic City. Soon, it was made permanent on concrete piers. By comparison, Park Place is a pebble of sand on a beach. It is NOT a park, like its name implies, but a street. On Boardwalk and Park Place in real life, there is a bronze plaque commemorating Charles Darrow.
Here’s a fun fact- You know the card that says, “Win second prize in a beauty contest- collect $10”? In 1929, the Convection Center was made at Mississippi and Boardwalk to bring people to the city in winter. It is big enough to play football inside, and presidents have been nominated in it! The Miss America pageant was held here in 1987. The second place winner received $20,000. It’s amazing to see how much Atlantic City has changed since Darrow’s time. This is just one of the millions of examples!