Steel Pier | Atlantic City

Steel Pier is one of Atlantic City’s most iconic and enduring landmarks—a towering symbol of American amusement culture, seaside entertainment, and historical reinvention. Stretching over 1,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean from the heart of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, the pier has witnessed vaudeville, big bands, daredevils, and modern thrill rides across more than a century of transformation. It embodies the glamour, grit, and spectacle that define Atlantic City's ever-evolving identity.

I. Origins and Early Glory (1898–1930s)

1. Foundation and Purpose

The original Steel Pier opened on June 18, 1898, financed by the Steel Pier Company and constructed using steel pilings rather than wooden ones—hence the name. Its purpose was grand: to serve as a floating theater and entertainment complex over the Atlantic Ocean, blending the excitement of a carnival with the refinement of stage performance.

At its peak in the early 20th century, the pier was considered the “Showplace of the Nation”, drawing immense crowds and global attention. It was the jewel of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk empire.

II. The Golden Era of Entertainment (1900s–1940s)

2. Vaudeville and Big Bands

Steel Pier hosted the top entertainers of the 20th century, establishing itself as a must-play venue for:

Frank Sinatra

Al Jolson

Benny Goodman

Glenn Miller

Guy Lombardo

The Andrews Sisters

The pier was unique because it combined high-brow and low-brow entertainment. You could watch a Shakespearean monologue in one hall, a slapstick comedy act in another, and a boxing match at the far end—all in the same day.

3. The Diving Horse

One of the most legendary—and controversial—attractions was the Diving Horse, introduced in the 1920s. A horse and rider would leap off a 40-foot platform into a deep water tank below. The act became internationally famous, drawing standing-room-only crowds multiple times daily.

Despite its popularity, it came under increasing criticism for animal cruelty. The act was discontinued in the late 1970s amid protests and shifting public opinion.

III. Fire, Rebuilding, and Resilience (1960s–1980s)

4. Catastrophic Fires

The pier suffered multiple devastating fires:

A major fire in 1969 destroyed large sections of the original structure.

Previous fires had occurred in 1924 and 1938, but the 1969 fire marked the beginning of a long decline.

What emerged afterward was a fragmented pier, with some attempts to restore or reimagine it, but it no longer held the same dominance it enjoyed in the early 20th century.

5. Casino Era and Decline

When casino gambling was legalized in Atlantic City in 1976, focus shifted inland to glitzy high-rise hotels and gaming floors. Steel Pier fell into disrepair. Though it remained open sporadically for arcades and small rides, much of its former grandeur was lost, and several portions of the pier were closed off or deteriorating by the 1980s.

IV. Revival and Modern Reinvention (1990s–Present)

6. Reopening in the 1990s

In 1993, Trump Entertainment Resorts acquired Steel Pier and began a revitalization effort. The new focus was to return the pier to its roots as a family amusement destination, but updated for a new generation.

Gone were the diving horses and big bands; in their place came modern amusements:

Thrill rides

Carousel and Ferris wheel

Arcades and midway games

Live shows and seasonal events

The look of the pier was overhauled, blending nostalgic elements with new structures, all engineered to withstand hurricane-force winds and ocean corrosion.

7. The Observation Wheel

A highlight of the revitalized Steel Pier is the “Wheel at Steel Pier,” a 227-foot-tall Ferris wheel unveiled in 2017. It features:

Climate-controlled gondolas

360-degree panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Boardwalk, and the skyline

Illuminated LED lights for nighttime ambiance

This wheel was built as a statement piece—marking Steel Pier’s reemergence as a modern-day tourist attraction.

V. Present-Day Attractions

Steel Pier today is a hybrid of nostalgic boardwalk charm and contemporary thrills. Key features include:

1. Amusement Rides

Slingshot ride (catapults riders into the air at extreme velocity)

Freedom Flyer (suspended spinning coaster)

Drop tower, Tilt-A-Whirl, Swings, and Bumper Cars

Kids’ rides like helicopters, mini-cars, and tea cups

2. Food and Dining

Classic boardwalk fare: funnel cakes, hot dogs, cotton candy, saltwater taffy

Ocean Reef Bar & Grill: Outdoor dining with panoramic sea views

Seasonal beer gardens and seafood stands

3. Games and Entertainment

Carnival-style games with oversized prizes

Shooting galleries and whack-a-mole

Special events like summer fireworks, car shows, dance parties, and cultural festivals

VI. Cultural and Historical Legacy

8. Enduring Symbolism

Steel Pier has become a living symbol of Atlantic City’s resilience and reinvention. It has reflected every major phase of the city’s story:

The vaudeville age of elegance

The wildness of early 20th-century Americana

The casino revolution

The modern turn toward family-friendly tourism

Its place in American folklore is firmly etched—referenced in books, songs, and documentaries as a place where dreams, spectacle, and nostalgia converge.

VII. Challenges and Future Plans

9. Resilience Through Storms

Despite battering by Atlantic storms—most notably Hurricane Sandy in 2012—the pier has held up due to steel-reinforced renovations. Recovery and reinforcement projects have added to its durability without sacrificing aesthetic charm.

10. Planned Expansion

Future plans for Steel Pier include:

A hotel tower at the landward end of the pier

More multi-use event space

Enhanced nightlife and entertainment options

Further integration with adjacent casinos like the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

These ambitions aim to make the pier not just a daytime destination, but a 24-hour cultural and entertainment venue.

Conclusion

Steel Pier is more than an amusement park—it is a microcosm of Atlantic City’s identity. Its wooden decks and steel beams have borne the weight of countless lives: from high-society revelers in tuxedos and gowns, to children clutching cotton candy, to performers taking a final bow. Every creak of the planks echoes with memory, struggle, reinvention, and joy.

Where once dived horses, now soar thrill rides. Where once stood orchestras, now spin Ferris wheels. But the magic remains. Steel Pier endures not just as a destination—but as an icon of Americana, still reaching out into the Atlantic, offering wonder at the water’s edge.