Jersey Shore History & Heritage
From Victorian grandeur to boardwalk spectacles, the shore is steeped in American history.
The Jersey Shore is more than sun and sand. It's the site of the oldest working lighthouse in America (1764), the birthplace of the boardwalk (1870), the largest collection of Victorian architecture in the nation, and the launching pad for rock & roll legends like Bruce Springsteen. From colonial settlements to casino empires, the shore has shaped American culture for four centuries.
Shore History Timeline
Sandy Hook Lighthouse built - oldest working in America
First boardwalk built in Atlantic City
Great Cape May fire - rebuilt in Victorian style
Lucy the Elephant built - oldest roadside attraction
First Miss America pageant in Atlantic City
Monopoly game created based on AC streets
Springsteen releases "Greetings from Asbury Park"
First casino opens in Atlantic City
Hurricane Sandy devastates shore
Explore by Era
Colonial & Early American
1620s-1860s
Before the resort era, the Jersey Shore was a working coastline of fishing villages, whaling towns, and maritime commerce. Sandy Hook Lighthouse, built in 1764, still stands as a testament to this era.
Explore Era →Victorian Era
1870s-1900s
Cape May became America's first seaside resort, attracting presidents and high society. The Victorian architecture that defines Cape May today was built during this golden age of leisure travel. Railroad access transformed sleepy fishing villages into fashionable destinations.
Explore Era →Boardwalk Golden Age
1870-1950
The boardwalk transformed beach towns into entertainment destinations. Atlantic City invented salt water taffy, rolling chairs, and the modern amusement pier. Steel Pier became the "Showplace of the Nation" with diving horses and big band concerts.
Explore Era →Maritime Heritage
1700s-Present
The Jersey Shore's treacherous shoals claimed thousands of ships. Lighthouses dot the coast, each with its own story. The U.S. Life-Saving Service, predecessor to the Coast Guard, was perfected here. Shipwrecks still emerge from the sands.
Explore Era →Walking Tours
View all 5 tours →Historic Sites to Visit
Cape May Historic District
Cape MayNational Historic Landmark
The entire city of Cape May is a National Historic Landmark District with over 600 Victorian buildings. It is the largest collection of Victorian architecture in the United States.
Visit Website →Sandy Hook Lighthouse
Sandy HookHistoric Lighthouse
Built in 1764, Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. It guided ships through the treacherous waters of New York Harbor for over 250 years.
Visit Website →Barnegat Lighthouse
Barnegat LightHistoric Lighthouse
"Old Barney" is one of the most iconic landmarks on the Jersey Shore. Built in 1859, the 172-foot tower can be climbed for spectacular views of Long Beach Island.
Visit Website →Lucy the Elephant
MargateNational Historic Landmark
Built in 1881, Lucy is a six-story elephant-shaped building that is the oldest surviving example of zoomorphic architecture. Originally a real estate gimmick, she has survived fires, hurricanes, and demolition threats.
Visit Website →Emlen Physick Estate
Cape MayVictorian Museum
This 1879 Stick Style mansion was designed by architect Frank Furness. It now serves as the headquarters for Cape May MAC and offers tours showcasing Victorian life.
Visit Website →Twin Lights Historic Site
HighlandsHistoric Lighthouse
This unique brownstone lighthouse with two towers was the site of the first practical demonstration of Marconi's wireless telegraph in America (1899). The museum tells the story of the Life-Saving Service.
Visit Website →Convention Hall
Asbury ParkHistoric Performance Venue
This 1930s venue has hosted everyone from the Rolling Stones to Bruce Springsteen. The adjacent Paramount Theatre and connecting Arcade create a remarkable entertainment complex.
The Stone Pony
Asbury ParkHistoric Music Venue
This legendary rock club launched Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, and countless others. Still hosting live music today, it remains a pilgrimage site for rock fans.
Visit Website →Steel Pier
Atlantic CityHistoric Amusement Pier
Once called "The Showplace of the Nation," Steel Pier featured diving horses, big band concerts, and the Miss America Pageant. Today it operates as a modern amusement pier.
Visit Website →Famous Shore Stories
The Morro Castle Disaster
Luxury liner burned off Asbury Park. 137 died. The smoldering wreck became a macabre tourist attraction.
Diving Horses of Steel Pier
Horses dove 40 feet into a pool. Controversial but legendary Atlantic City attraction.
Springsteen at Stone Pony
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band built their legend at this Asbury Park club.
The Segregated Shore
Atlantic City and other towns enforced beach segregation until the civil rights movement.
Explore Jersey Shore Lighthouses
3 historic lighthouses dot the coast, each with its own story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the first boardwalk in America built?▼
The first boardwalk in America was built in Atlantic City in 1870. Hotel owner Alexander Boardman conceived the idea to keep sand out of hotel lobbies and train cars. The original boardwalk was only 10 feet wide and could be taken apart in winter.
Why is Cape May so Victorian?▼
Cape May has the largest collection of Victorian architecture in America because a massive fire in 1878 destroyed most of the town. When rebuilt, the dominant style of that era - Victorian - was used throughout. Today, the entire town is a National Historic Landmark with over 600 Victorian buildings.
What famous musicians started at the Jersey Shore?▼
Bruce Springsteen emerged from Asbury Park in the early 1970s. Bon Jovi formed in nearby Sayreville in 1983. The Stone Pony, which opened in 1974, became the iconic venue where these artists and others performed early in their careers.
When did Atlantic City casinos open?▼
Casino gambling was legalized in Atlantic City in 1976, and Resorts Casino Hotel opened as the first legal casino on May 26, 1978. It was the first legal casino outside Nevada in 45 years.
Experience History
Visit Cape May for the most complete historic experience.