ROOTED HERE
Behind the downtown streets.
A whole city’s story.
Historic streets, local kitchens and neighborhood arts extend inland from Atlantic City's oceanfront.
People made the city.
These milestones are an introduction, not a complete local history. Follow the linked city and museum sources to explore the people and places behind them.Read the local historical account.
Watch the city’s history
FROM THE ARCHIVES
The History of Atlantic City, New Jersey
A local history film shared by Mr. New Jersey.
Watch on YouTube ↗- 1785
A permanent island homestead
Jeremiah Leeds established a home and farm on Absecon Island; the city identifies his family as its first permanent residents.
City of Atlantic City ↗ - 1852
The railroad project begins
Construction began on the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, connecting the planned resort with visitors from Philadelphia.
City of Atlantic City ↗ - 1854
Atlantic City is incorporated
Atlantic City incorporated and railroad service began bringing visitors to the new seaside city.
City of Atlantic City ↗ - 1870
The first Boardwalk
Atlantic City's first Boardwalk was built to keep sand out of hotels and railroad cars.
City of Atlantic City ↗ - 1921
A national pageant begins
The event that became the Miss America competition was first held in Atlantic City.
City of Atlantic City ↗
See the history for yourself.
Walk downtown to see surviving commercial architecture, then explore the Historical Preservation Society’s museum and visiting information. Check current opening dates before setting out. Historical Preservation Society.
For deeper research, the Atlantic City library resources is a starting point for archival material and research help. Historic photographs have their own permissions; we link to the collection instead of treating every old image as free to reuse.
Selected milestones researched September 13, 2026. This is an introduction, not a complete account of the city’s history.