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By Doug, June 24, 2009 07:29

Lucy the Elephant, outside Atlantic City, New Jersey

In 1881, 25-year-old James V. Lafferty had some oceanfront land to sell and he needed a gimmick to do it. That gimmick was Lucy, a six-story high, 90-ton wood and tin structure built in the shape of a giant elephant from nearly a million pieces of wood. Lucy worked as intended, Lafferty got a patent on animal shaped buildings and people flocked to his land to see it. Lucy was so popular Lafferty built two more similar structures including one on Coney Island that was twice as high as Lucy but it burned and today the original Lucy is the only survivor.

Throughout her history, Lucy has served as a real estate office (her original purpose), bar, and hotel. Today she serves as a museum. Entry into Lucy is through a door on one of her legs and visitors can go all the way up to “howdah” for commanding views of the ocean.

If you’re in Atlantic City, take a few minutes to drive to Margate, New Jersey and see Lucy in person. Since she can be seen for up to eight miles away, you shouldn’t have any problem finding her!