New Jersey Roadside Attraction: Lucy The Elephant
September 6th, 2018 by chocko
Minutes away from Atlantic City, stands the world’s largest elephant. Lucy The Elephant is a six story high National Historic Landmark and on a recent drive down the shore, Chocko swung by to check up on his long lost friend by the beach. Originally, Lucy was built in 1881 to attract potential real estate buyers to the town of Margate, New Jersey. Lucy’s unique architecture was recognized worldwide and eventually an Elephant Hotel was built nearby. Fast forward to the 1960’s and Lucy was falling apart due to neglect despite surviving the elements all those years standing. The Save Lucy Committee was formed and decades later after hard work and donations, Lucy was restored back to its original glory.
After finding parking on Atlantic Avenue, we visited the gift shop where you can find more Lucy The Elephant souvenirs than you can ever imagine. From there tickets were purchased for a guided tour inside the National Historic Landmark. After climbing a narrow, spiral staircase you find yourself inside the giant pachyderm where relics are displayed and a short video is played about the famous elephant’s history. You can also peer through Lucy’s eyes which are pointed towards the ocean (pictured above). If you’re on the beach, hide your peanuts…Lucy is watching!
That structure built on Lucy’s back that looks like a bed is called a howdah and you can get to it after climbing another narrow spiral staircase. You are rewarded with a beautiful outdoor view of the beach and surrounding neighborhood. Way out west, the Margate water tower can be seen with an image of Lucy The Elephant painted on it.
Lend me your ears…although, summer is coming to an end it’s not too late to pack your trunk and head on over to visit 9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate, NJ. Shop at the gift shop and take a guided tour. Parking is free and for more information visit online at www.LucyTheElephant.org.
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Tags: architecture, atlantic city, elephant, lucy the elephant, margate, national historic landmark, new jersey, nj, roadside attraction
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