During the 1960s, Atlantic City was at the height of its popularity as a tourist destination. The city’s famous boardwalk was lined with shops, restaurants, and arcades and was a popular spot for strolling and people-watching. The beach was also a major draw, with miles of sandy shoreline and a bustling beach scene.
In terms of entertainment, Atlantic City had various options for visitors. There were many casinos, such as the famous Tropicana and the Steel Pier amusement park, which featured rides, attractions, live music and comedy venues. The city also hosted several major events, including the Miss America pageant, which was held in Atlantic City from 1921 to 2005.
Atlantic City’s economy during the 1960s depended heavily on tourism and gambling. Many of the casinos and hotels were owned by organized crime figures, who controlled much of the city’s vice activities, such as illegal gambling, prostitution, and drug trafficking. This led to a reputation for corruption and lawlessness, which persisted even as efforts were made to clean up the city’s image.
Despite the problems with organized crime and vice, many people flocked to Atlantic City in the 1960s to take advantage of the city’s many attractions and to gamble. The city’s population was around 65,000 during this time, and it was a popular spot for conventions and significant events. However, over the following decades, the city’s popularity waned as newer, more glamorous destinations like Las Vegas and the Caribbean emerged, and Atlantic City struggled to compete.
I’m curious to see what the rates of alcoholism and addiction were pre vs post gambling legalization
Casinos didn’t cause the problems for AC. It was a mess long before they showed up in the late 70s. And it’s not like the poor people that live in AC are the ones gambling in the casinos causing their gambling problems. The biggest problem are the drugs, like any large city.
The city is in better shape now then it has been in a long time. Companies are putting money into the city, new production studios and race tracks planned, hotels are constantly being renovated, they have the Outlets, there are hundreds of conventions and shows each year. Before the casinos, it was a dying city.
They talk about the casinos and gambling in the 60’s. There were no casinos here in the 60’s.
This article is crap. There weren’t any casinos until the late 70s. AC had problems from the 50s and 60s. Casinos were pitched as a way to save the city.
My grandparents lived in Atlantic City from approximately 1972 through 1976, immediately before gambling passed, so we visited AC two or three times every summer. The city itself was clearly down on its luck, but the boardwalk was still busy and teeming with people during the summer. Lots of amusement rides, arcades, tons of cheesy gift and novelty stores, it was a lot of fun for a little kid. I remember that revolving space needle thing, the Steel Pier, the “diving horse”, the diving bell you could take to the bottom of the water by the pier, and a few of the old hotels, which were mostly abandoned by that time, but still standing.