Margate City in Atlantic County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lucy the Elephant
Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, October 19, 2026
1. Lucy the Elephant Marker
Lucy the Elephant stands as a testament to the power of community engagement. James V. Lafferty who later patented his design, spearheaded construction of the elephant in 1881. Lucy fell into disrepair after decades as a popular tourist attraction. This prompted locals to form a grassroots fundraising campaign and form the Save Lucy Committee. The Committee moved the structure to its current site to save it from demolition on July 20, 1970. As a result of their efforts, Lucy the Elephant, the sole survivor of Lafferty's creations, is a National Historic Landmark that continues to draw global attention.
Erected 2026 by New Jersey Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2026.B.18.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Landmarks.
Location. 39° 19.258′ N, 74° 30.707′ W. Marker is in Margate City, New Jersey, in Atlantic County. It is at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and South Decatur Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Atlantic Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9200 Atlantic
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Regionally, this marker is on the Jersey Shore. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Carpenter Walkway (a few steps from this marker); Margate City Post 397 Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Vietnam War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Persian Gulf War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Margate City World War II Memorial (approx. half a mile away); World War II Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Margate City World War I Monument (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Margate City.
More about this marker. Located at the southeast corner of
Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, October 19, 2026
2. Lucy the Elephant
Regarding Lucy the Elephant. Although Lucy is America's oldest roadside attraction, the historic marker was only installed on October 9, 2026. The interior of Lucy is available to tour. Lucy is situated about a half block from the beach and Atlantic Ocean.
Lucy was previously located on the beach about two blocks to the north before being moved in 1970 to her current location. The former location was at the easterly terminus of South Cedar Grove Avenue.
Also see . . .
1. Lucy the Elephant. (Submitted on October 22, 2026, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Lucy the Elephant (Wikipedia).
Lucy the Elephant is a six-story elephant-shaped wood frame and tin clad building, constructed in 1881 by James V. Lafferty in Margate City, New Jersey. Lucy was built with the purpose of promoting real estate sales and attracting tourists to the area. Today, Lucy remains the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in the US.(Submitted on October 22, 2026, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Mary Ellen Coghlan, October 19, 2026
3. Lucy the Elephant Marker
Photographed by Mae Coughlin, circa 1944
4. Lucy the Elephant - 1944
Photographed by Mae Coughlin, circa 1944
5. Lucy the Elephant - 1944
Photographed by Starkman Cigar Co, Inc Atlantic City, NJ, circa 1947
6. 1947 Postcard
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2026, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Manahawkin, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 47 times since then. Last updated on November 3, 2026, by New Jersey Historical Commission of Trenton, New Jersey. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 19, 2026, by Mary Ellen Coghlan of Manahawkin, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
