Walking on the boardwalk in Atlantic City in 1924

Let's take a walk on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1924. I found this image on the Duke University Digital Libraries website, and although I know nothing about Atlantic City, I thought that it would be fun to do some time-traveling. Come on!

The Duke University's collection is all about advertising, and the boardwalk had a LOT of ads. Nowadays they would probably be annoying, but looking back at them gives me a kick, and helps me to see what ordinary life was like back in the day.


Of course my eye immediately went to the bathing beauty on the billboard for the beauty pageant. I can't help but wonder if she was so scantily clad that little boys would stare up at it, and prim and proper people would disapprove, wondering what the world was coming to? I find it interesting that the word "bathing" once meant going swimming, so there would be a bathers revue, which nowadays would sound kinda strange. Looks like they paraded the girls in those rolling chairs.

Speaking of which, let's zoom in on one of those chairs. Looks like they had three wheels, and were human-powered. And I suppose if we didn't have a straw hat like most of the men are wearing, we'd be out of fashion! Isn't that called a pork pie hat? Reminds me of Buster Keaton movies.


And look, there's another scantily-clad female in that billboard for Frostilla, which looks like it was for sunburns.


And how about some salt water taffy from Fralinger's? I never cared much for taffy, I wonder what else you could have gotten there in 1924? Maybe some spearmint?


If I'm not mistaken, this shop says "Hollywood by the Sea Florida". Seems to be a complicated name, but it definitely makes you think that you're by the ocean. Of course, you could just turn around and look at the Atlantic, too. And hey, there's another one of those those rolling chairs! Do you suppose the lady in the white dress is helping her friend adjust her hat? You must look your best when you're out on the boardwalk!

Thank you for walking with me on the boardwalk!
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