Atlantic City through the years

Atlantic City has been a resort destination since the 1850s, with its famous boardwalk being built in 1870. It has been a hub since then because of its location by the ocean, the Miss America Pageant, and later, gambling. The railroad that went directly from Philadelphia to AC helped the burgeoning city grow as a tourist destination and the building of the Atlantic City Expressway furthered that growth. Take a look at some of these vintage pictures and relive AC’s glory.

Beach goers in Atlantic City circa 1985

Atlantic City — Getty Images

Political boss Nucky Johnson, the inspiration for the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire

AP Photo

The AC Boardwalk in 1935

The AC Boardwalk in 1935 / AP Photo — AP Photo

Sailors on leave in 1945

Sailors on leave in 1945 / AP Photo — AP Photo

The Steel Pier in 1947

The Steel Pier in 1947 / AP Photo — AP Photo

Miss America parade of 1953

Miss America parade of 1953 / AP Photo — AP Photo

The 1959 Miss America pageant

The 1959 Miss America pageant / AP Photo — AP Photo

The Marlborough Hotel

The Marlborough Hotel / AP Photo — AP Photo

Miss America, 1955

Miss America, 1955 / AP Photo — AP Photo

A segregation protest in 1960

A segregation protest in 1960 / AP Photo — AP Photo

Seascape with distant lighthouse

Seascape with distant lighthouse / AP Photo — AP Photo

Atlantic City boardwalk circa 2016

Atlantic City Prepares For Partial Shutdown As City Runs Out Of Money — Getty Images

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