Early Atlantic City Piers - Steel Pier
This section is about Steel Pier, but also visit Million Dollar Pier, Heinz Pier and Garden Pier. Use the links below.
- Link to: Million Dollar Pier
- Link to: Heinz Pier
- Link to: Garden Pier
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 theater, 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 performed 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 - Music Arcade
Postcard by Virginia Ave. Post Card Store - from the collection of Thomas Topham.
Vessella's Band at the Steel Pier Music Arcade
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 - 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 - At Night
Postcard by Dexter Press - from the collection of Thomas Topham.
World famous Steel pier photographed at night. Stretching one half mile to sea it presents an illuminated spectacle.
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.
Book About Steel Pier
Steel Pier, Atlantic City: Showplace of the Nation
by Steve Liebowitz, 2009
For much of the 20th century the Steel Pier
in Atlantic City, NJ, was the center of American entertainment
on the East Coast. There were big bands, movies, sideshows, acrobats, flag-pole sitters, Frank Sinatra, Miss America -- and
throngs of
people lining up to get a seat so they could watch brave horses and riders dive into a pool of water. It was
aptly called the ''Showplace of the Nation'' and it was all that and more Steel Pier evokes a time when more really was more, a time when there was so much
invention, talent and industry that it could only be experienced in one place -- at the edge of the continent, in a
city that took its name from a vast ocean, on a great pier reaching out into the sea.
Steel Pier Today
To see more scenes from Steel Pier at present times follow this link:
Steel Pier Now
Thomas Topham -1951
