Lucy the Elephant, built in 1881, stands tall, 65 feet tall, with her butt facing Atlantic Avenue in the Jersey Shore town of Margate.
During her formative years, Lucy survived spells as a restaurant, a business office and a rentable summer cottage. She survived an early 20th century venture as a bar. That ceased with the onset of Prohibition.
In 1929 Lucy survived a storm that blew away her howdah.
Lucy survived the Great Atlantic Hurricane 1944.
During the mid-20th century she survived a period of neglect and decrepitude that resulted in being condemned by the City of Margate in 1962.
In 1970. Lucy survived a two-block move down Atlantic Avenue that took eight hours.
In 2006 Lucy survived being struck by lightning.
In 2012, Lucy survived Superstorm Sandy unscathed.
In July, on her 138th birthday, Lucy is still standing tall.
off the leash 
It’s amazing how much Lucy has survived. I wonder if James Lafferty expected her to last this long. If Lucy used for anything now?
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It’s now a tourist attraction. You can take a 30-minute “tour” of Lucy. It involves walking up into the structure which has been beautifully restored. The inside is full of memorabilia. Then another flight of stairs puts you on Lucy’s howdah. There are enough stories to fill a half-hour tour. And of course there is a Lucy the Elephant gift shop.
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Great post 🙂
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Like Donna, I’m amazed that Lucy has survived all these years. It seems, too, that she would be a great refuge during a storm.
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So if you want to feel safe during a hurricane just climb into the structure built in 1881.
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I love happy endings!
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Aww, I’ve always wanted to visit Big Lucy!
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She’s in pretty good shape now so you’ve got time.
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Classic New Jersey!
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Wow! I’d never heard of her before. Really interesting 🙂
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A great historical share. Yeah for Lucy!!
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The elephant really is fantastic.
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I love this story! And I am surprised/shocked I never heard of Lucy, living most of my life in Delaware, and the many NJ seaside trips I’ve made. Thank you for sharing, I may still one day head over to see Lucy, a good road trip with the grandkids! 🙂
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Kids usually love Lucy.
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Amazing example of architecture! Glad Lucy has been taken care of during all these long years.
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That’s a strong spirit animal.
Working with architects as i do, i see many amazing projects and this is one of them. 🤗
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