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Atlantic City, New Jersey, circa 1905. "Grand Atlantic Hotel -- Open All Year." Someone grab a ladder and oil that creaky shutter. View full size.
April 25th 1905
I just spent a most enjoyable day and didn't have to travel a bit which was enjoyable since I had spent a few hours on trains and ferries from Philadelphia and arrived late.
I was able to get my usual room (2nd floor front) at the annex where the service is as good as the main building but seems less formal and not as crowded.
I slept in late and took a perch on the main porch and was delighted by the gentle breezes and the parade of handsome and genteel ladies who passed by. There were even a few winks and flashing smiles thrown my way.
I ambled over to the barbershop for a trim and a little baseball talk. The Athletics look good this year and since Rube Waddell was pitching today I asked Tony to place a $5.00 wager on the A's.
The sea air had given me quite the appetite so a visit to the Grand Atlantic Hotel Bar & Buffet seemed to be the logical next step.
There was all manner of seafood and stout lagers to be found there. After a hearty meal at the bar I lit a cigar and noticed one of the ladies who had given me a grand smile passed by and entered the ladies section with another couple.
Feeling a little bold I introduced myself and discovered Ethel of The Grand Smile was vacationing with her brother and sister-in-law.
After an hour or so of conversation about mundane, practical and profound things we made a date to meet the next morning for a Beach & Boardwalk stroll. Hopefully I'll be able to convince Ethel to ride with me in one of those two-seat man propelled carriages on the Boardwalk. I blush to think where the conversation we have as we travel the Boardwalk might lead?
Others have pointed out at this photo:
https://www.shorpy.com/node/12774?size=_original
that the Grand Atlantic is on Virginia Ave., which is at a right angle to the ocean, so the front of the Hotel doesn't face the sea.
There is modern electric streetcar service to this termite's delight, but it's not a trolley. The far track is equipped with the Pullen System of surface electrical contact boxes. The near track hasn't been converted from horse car or steam dummy service.
Did these gorgeous buildings face the ocean?
Back in the day, when we weren't so paranoid about letting the outside air drift through our homes.
It would appear that Derbies were in this season.
Would like to stay in the annex next to the main hotel.
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