Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-09-09
A TRIP TO ATLANTIC CITY.
Correspondence to the Gazette.)

Our steps were directed as usual,
for part of our summer vacation, to
this celebrated city by the sea, where
pleasures, recreation, and health. Civ.
ing air, are found for all sorts anc
conditions of men. AS one reaches
the salt marshes near the city by the
we'll appointed fast-fying Pennsyl
vana special from Washington the re.
cuperatng influences of the place are
at once felt. The first glimpse of ole
ocean and the long outline of the city
on It's low-lying island of sand immed.
lately enfold one with their mystic
spell which never releases its attrac-
tive hold, until the sojourn, long OF
short is over, and then it throws its
lure over the hearts of the fortunate
plea sure or health seeker, until he can
return again for rest and re-
freshments to this favorite shore of
the Atlantic. 1t is hard to define the
spell Of the place, SO as to give wide
enough range for it's appeal to all,
since it affects various persons in va
rious ways. And perhaps herein lies
its wide influence. For when we come
to ask ourselves what are the charac-
teris tics of Atlantic City, we can cas-
lily eaumerate those which appear out
warlly. There is old ocean and the
low sandy beach, just as we find them
stretching from the harbor of New
YorI; to Florida. There is city
mainly built of wood consisting of hos
tclrios, cottages and boarding houses,
with enough of the evidences of no.
tells to support these in part, and to
supply the wants Of the tourists for
the time being and the resident popu-
lations; with churches of every denom-
nation, and numerous resorts OF
pleasure for all kinds of people. But
making all deductions for those who
seek quiet time, (for one can have a
quie. time here) and the air alone, the
fine centre of Atlantic City is the
Boardwalk with its throng of pedes-
TRANS and long lines of rolling chairs,
each occupied by from one to three
passengers, all moving up and down
between the piersh and oceans on one
side and the attractive shops and auc-
ton marts on the other. Some might
add The surf for the bathers, as
prime attraction. 1t is, and the bath
ers are a great multitude, but ocean
batting is found elsewhere-there is
only one noted Boardwalk in the world,
and that is the Boardwalk of Allan
tic City.
So we welcome it again as an old and
drie,! friend. 1t is substantially the
same, still its fashions change. The
SENT Hating maze of light which arched
a large part of it for the semi-centen-
NAL year, and some succeeding sea-
sons is no more, except along a square
or two far down the walk, and now
there are artistic pillars along the
ocean side supporting large globes OF
light, which perhaps are more dlgnl-
fled than the other with IT'S glltterlng
sheen, although we confess we some
what miss the former.
Many told US that the city was not
so fall of visitors in the earlier part
of lie summer season, as the tenn
ipera .ure was cool everywhere, but
there is clear evidence on all sides that
Atlantic City is in no danger OF
losing it's hold upon the nation ano
the world. Buildings are going up
in new sectinos especially all along
the line from Chelsea to Longport. A
few years ago the view of the ocean
was anobstructed from Chelsea to the
end of the sland, and much Of the
cleo: rc road was cut through tho
sand dunes. These are nearly all
leveied and jetties and sea-walls arc
being built to rob old ocean OF por-
ton Of his domain. Beautiful and
luxurious cottages as we'll as more
simple ones, are being rapidly erect.
ed and soon the shore line will be seer
as one rides past only along the IN
terscct avenues that run down tt
the ocean. But what is lost to view
from the Boardwalk which will short
lily extend unbroken from the Inlet tt
Longport, as small portion only re
mains to be built near Longport. Ant
what a glorious view of the ocean Il
given unobstructed and free after one
leaves the last pier and pavilion Of
the upper city behind, and we hope
that the inhabitants Of Chelsea, Vent
nor, Margate and Longport will evel
appreciate their privileges and sent
| oil +hosn who love the amusement: