Lucy the Elephant that Ran for President

If you’re traveling to Atlantic City or Ocean City on vacation or business, then make it a point to see Lucy the Elephant. Lucy is located between the two cities in a town called Margate New Jersey (hence she is frequently called Lucy the Margate Elephant) and is the oldest surviving roadside attraction in America. She has also been designated a National Historic Landmark.

 

Lucy was built in 1881 by James V Lafferty.  She is 65 feet tall, 60 feet long and 18 feet wide.  And don’t let her step on you. She weighs 90 tons.  You an get an idea of her tremendous size by looking at the people in the photo above.

Lucy has survived more than one hurricane, lightening strikes, and an effort to have her demolished.  The massive elephant building has also appeared in a number of movies and shows, including: The King of Marvin Gardens, Atlantic City, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Weird US, Life After People, and Vacation.

She also announced her candidacy for President of the United States in 2016.  Unfortunately that didn’t move forward.  If she announces it in the coming election, she has my vote.  I’m not very impressed with the people I see in politics of late, on either side of the political fence.  Lucy’s silent presence would give the country the break it needs to get the country back on track!

 

Lucy the Elephant sits in a small, fenced and gated park just steps from the beach in Margate, New Jersey…. about 5 miles south of Atlantic City.  Guided tours of the inside of the elephant occur every 30 minutes.  It’s free to enter the grounds and look at the elephant close up.  The interior tours cost $8.50 for adults, $4.00 for children aged 3 to 12 and children under two are free.

You can find Lucy at 9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate New Jersey.  For more info on hours, visit the Lucy the Elephant website.  Also see our post on things to do in Atlantic City besides gamble.

See More Photos of Lucy the Elephant After the Break.  Also, photos in this post are available for licensing or prints.  Contact us to inquire.