Lucy the Elephant, Novelty architecture monument in Margate City, United States.
Lucy the Elephant stands six stories tall, covered with 12,000 square feet of sheet tin, featuring a spiral staircase inside one hind leg.
Philadelphia architect James V. Lafferty constructed this wooden and tin-clad elephant structure in 1881 to promote real estate sales in the area.
The structure transformed from a real estate office to a hotel, summer residence, and tavern before becoming a protected historical landmark in 1976.
Located at 9200 Atlantic Avenue, the monument offers guided tours from Monday through Saturday between 10 AM and 8 PM, with Sunday hours until 5 PM.
The United States Patent Office granted Lafferty exclusive rights to create animal-shaped buildings for seventeen years starting December 1882.
Location: Margate City
Inception: 1881
Architects: James V. Lafferty
Architectural style: novelty architecture
Address: 9200 Atlantic Avenue 08402 Margate City
Website: https://lucytheelephant.org
GPS coordinates: 39.32085,-74.51161
Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:26
New Jersey contains numerous historical sites that often remain overlooked near major metropolitan areas. The state features restored mills from the 18th and 19th centuries, nature reserves with native wildlife, and preserved colonial buildings. The coastal region offers working lighthouses, while the interior is characterized by parks and forests. Attractions include traditional villages with craft workshops, former industrial facilities, and gardens with regional plants. Hiking trails traverse various landscapes, from marshlands to wooded hills. Several locations provide views of the New York or Philadelphia skylines. These sites document the state's industrial, agricultural, and maritime history. Museums present collections on local development, while parks offer recreational opportunities in natural settings. The sites are distributed throughout the state and showcase different aspects of regional identity.
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