Lucy the Elephant, New Jersey’s iconic 6-story, 90-ton structure, is celebrating its 143rd birthday with a grand event on Saturday, July 20. The Save Lucy Committee, the nonprofit responsible for maintaining this National Historic Landmark in Margate, has organized a day of family-friendly activities from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The celebration will feature water slides, mini-golf, Skee-Ball, an obstacle course, snow cones, popcorn, and more. Additionally, guided tours of Lucy’s interior will be available. Rich Helfant, executive director and CEO of the Save Lucy Committee, expressed enthusiasm for the event: “At nearly 143 years old, Lucy has never looked better or been more popular,” he said. “Having just been voted the No. 1 Best Roadside Attraction in America by USA Today readers, we’re more excited than ever to celebrate her birthday this year.”
Constructed in 1881 by a real estate developer as a promotional gimmick to attract land buyers south of Atlantic City, Lucy initially served as an observation deck offering panoramic views of the area. Built at a cost of $38,000 using over a million pieces of wood and 22 tons of tin sheeting, Lucy was sold six years later to a Philadelphia family and went through various uses including as a restaurant and tavern.
By the 1960s, Lucy had deteriorated significantly and faced demolition. The Margate Civic Association—later renamed the Save Lucy Committee—relocated her about 100 yards to city-owned land near the beach and began extensive restoration efforts. Reopened to the public in 1974 and designated as a National Historic Landmark two years later during the nation’s bicentennial celebrations.
July 20 marks Lucy’s birthday because it commemorates her relocation in 1970 from Cedar Grove Avenue to Decatur Avenue—a move that saved her from destruction. The original train station where visitors arrived in the late 19th century also moved to Decatur Avenue and now serves as Lucy's gift shop.
Over time, numerous restoration projects have been undertaken by SLC to preserve both the interior and exterior of Lucy. This includes a recent $2.1 million overhaul completed in 2022 that replaced her metal skin with corrosion-resistant nickel-copper alloy.
For more information about joining Lucy’s birthday celebration or making tax-deductible donations to support her maintenance and preservation efforts through the Save Lucy Committee (a registered nonprofit), visit their Facebook page or website.
