Steel Pier - 1907

Postcard by Raphael Tuck & Sons - from the collection of Thomas Topham.

Steel Pier opened in 1898 and became the "Showplace of the Nation." It was the first amusement pier in Atlantic City to be built on iron pilings and steel girders, thus its name "Steel Pier." Steel Pier was 1760 feet long and extended 1000 feet out into the ocean. It had an immense auditorium, a theatre, and assembly hall as-well-as a number of pavilions.

Steel Pier - 1921

Postcard by Atlantic Foto Service - from the collection of Thomas Topham.

Steel Pier grew larger, as shown in this 1921 postcard. It now had a large exhibit hall that General Motors used to present their new car models to the public. See Below.

Steel Pier - General Motors Exhibit

Photo by Atlantic Foto Service - from the collection of Thomas Topham.

Thousands of people crowded into Steel Pier to see the shiny new model cars in the General Motors Exhibit.

Steel Pier - Another View

From the collection of Thomas Topham.

Steel Pier - Diving Horse

Postcard by E.C. Kropp Co. - from the collection of Thomas Topham.

For nearly 40 years the Diving Horse was one of the best-known attractions on Steel Pier. For 25 years, Linda Carver plunged on horseback from a 40-foot tower into a pool on Steel Pier.

Steel Pier - Human Cannon Ball

Postcard by Saltzburg's Merchandise Co. - from the collection of Thomas Topham.

The Flying Zachines perfomed on Steel Pier all throughout the 1930's, blasting themselves out of a cannon to the thrill of the crowd.

Steel Pier - Daring Aerialists

Postcard by Saltzburg's Merchandise Co. - from the collection of Thomas Topham.

Another famous Steel Pier attraction was the daring aerialists, who performed 100 feet above the ocean.

Steel Pier - Marine Ball Room

Postcard by Saltzburg's Merchandise Co. - from the collection of Thomas Topham.

At the Ocean End of Steel Pier There Was a Spacious Marine Ballroom.

Steel Pier - 1957

Postcard by Jack Freeman - from the collection of Thomas Topham.

On the back of the card: A trip to the end of Steel Pier - a half mile at sea has all the thrill of an ocean voyage with none of the discomforts . Truly an amusement enterprise without equal anywhere, since one price admits to all attractions.

Steel Pier - At Night

Postcard by Jack Freeman - from the collection of Thomas Topham.

Even at night there was always a lot happening on Steel Pier, and on the boardwalk around the pier.

Steel Pier Today

To see scenes from Steel Pier in 2008 follow this link: Steel Pier 2008