Steel Pier
 Steel Pier circa 1915 | |
| Location | Atlantic City, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°21′27″N 74°25′08″W / 39.3575°N 74.4190°WCoordinates: 39°21′27″N 74°25′08″W / 39.3575°N 74.4190°W |
| Owner | Steel Pier Associates, LLC |
| Opened |
1898 (as a theater) 1993 (as an amusement park) |
| Operating season | April through October |
| Rides | |
| Total | 24 |
| Roller coasters | 2 |
| Water rides | 1 |
| Website | www.steelpier.com |
Steel Pier is a 1,000-foot-long (300 m) amusement pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, located across The Boardwalk from Trump Taj Mahal.
The pier was owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts until 2011, when it was sold to the Catanoso Family under the "Steel Pier Associates, LLC" name. The Catanosos previously leased the pier to operate the amusement park before the sale.[1] Steel Pier continues to operate as an amusement pier, and is one of the most successful family-oriented attractions in the city.
History
In 1904, a storm washed away part of Steel Pier and many engineers stated that it could not be rebuilt. Future mayor of Atlantic City Edward L. Bader, and his company, accepted the challenge to rebuild it. His success with that job led to more work for him in Atlantic City.[2]
From 1935 through 1938 Steel Pier was where Miss America was crowned.[3] It was described as "An Amusement City at Sea" and "A Vacation in Itself." It also was once called the "Showplace of the Nation" and included such acts as the High Diving horse; Rex the Wonder Dog, a water-skiing canine in the 1930s; and musicians, Frank Sinatra and Al Jolson among others.[4] "Rain or Shine ... There's Always a Good Show on Steel Pier" was another phrase used to describe the venue's varied entertainment. The pier used to be much longer, but a December 1969 fire six months before the opening of the 1970 season shortened its size by about a third.[5] The original wooden pier with steel underpinnings was destroyed in a 1982 fire; the current concrete structure dates from 1993.
In June 2008 Steel Pier celebrated its 110th anniversary, having originally opened on Saturday, June 18, 1898.
In February 2012, it was announced that a diving horse act would return to the Steel Pier as part of the recently approved Tourism Master Plan,[6] but the plan was soon scrapped after public outcry.[7]
See also
- Sonora Webster Carver
- A Girl and Five Brave Horses
- Diving horse
- William Frank Carver
- Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken
Video
- Home video of Steel Pier Diving Horse taken in the 1960s
- Home video of Steel Pier Diving Bell taken in the 1960s
References
- ↑ Brian Ianieri (2011-04-Aug). "Trump Entertainment sells Steel Pier to Catanoso family for $4.25 million". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 2011-04-Aug.
- ↑ http://casinoconnectionac.com/issue/november-2010/article/crossing-the-goal-line
- ↑ Futrell, Jim. Amusement Parks of New Jersey. Mechanicsburg (PA): Stackpole Books, 2004, p. 53
- ↑ http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_233234652.html
- ↑ http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/6658629p-6528474c.html
- ↑ http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/atlantic_city_taking_a_risky_p.html
- ↑ http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/atlantic_city_nixes_plans_to_b.html
External links
- Official website
- Steel Pier - A nostalgic look at Steel Pier
- The Old Steel Pier & Atlantic City on Facebook
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. NJ-64, "Steel Pier"
External links
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