Lucy the Elephant Historic Tour

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Lucy the Elephant is a National Historic Landmark. Standing six stories tall along the Jersey Shore, Lucy the Elephant in Margate, NJ is a striking example of 19th-century novelty architecture. Built in 1881 by real estate developer James V. Lafferty to attract land buyers, Lucy was designed in the shape of an Asian elephant using wood, tin, and over a million nails. Visitors enter through a stairwell in her leg, ascending into a chamber within her body before reaching the howdah on her back, which offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding beach town.

Over the years, Lucy has served various roles-from office space to tavern to private residence-and was rescued from demolition in 1970 by a dedicated community effort. Now a National Historic Landmark, she continues to charm visitors with her whimsical design and storied past, embodying both architectural creativity and regional pride.

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