Friday, November 15, 2019

Young and McShea Pier Atlantic City - 1890s




The Daily union history of Atlantic City, New Jersey : containing ... Hall, John F., fl. 1899-1900
J. R. Applegate, in 1883, was next to embark in the pier business. He bought one hundred feet of beach front at the foot of Tennessee Avenue for $10,000, paying $3,500 for one fifty-foot lot and $6,500 for another next adjoining where his picture galleries were. It was a double decker, artistically finished, with an amusement pavilion at the outer end 625 feet from the walk.
This pier from the upper deck afforded a fine ocean view and was built to accommodate several thousand people. 
This pier and real estate was sold in 1891 to Messrs. Young and McShea for $56,000 and has been extensively enlarged and improved since, till it now extends 2,000 feet into the ocean and for years has been the great centre of attraction along the beach front.
A large net, hauled twice daily in summer at the outer end, brings up a large and varied assortment of the animal life of the sea, which is of infinite interest to visitors. From this net specimens of fish of all sizes are secured for the large tanks on the pier, where living specimens may at all times be seen.
In one large pavilion, 80 by 200 feet, hops, cakewalks, baby shows and entertainments are given and in another still larger auditorium meetings and conventions are provided for.
A small trolley system carries visitors from the entrance out to the net, and a continuous program of popular attractions during the season afford diversion to thousands.

As a resting place, where the ocean and bathing grounds may be viewed, the pier has become indispensable. Otherwise the congestion of travel on the Boardwalk might become decidedly unpleasant, where now the surroundings are of the most novel and enjoyable character.

(image: Oswego Daily Times - 18 July 1898)


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