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I Love Lucy The Elephant

This is a postcard of Lucy the Elephant, a national historic landmark in Margate, New Jersey--just minutes away from Atlantic City. I was lucky to finally get to visit it last week. The postcard shows a guy peeking into the elephant's "Pane in the Butt" (get it?), but nowadays that dangerous-looking ladder is gone and visitors simply climb into the belly of the elephant through a narrow, spiral staircase on its hindleg. There is one staircase on each hindleg, actually.

Lucy was built in 1882 by James V. Lafferty, a land speculator who wanted to attract real estate business and tourism in his acquired property by the shore. The idea of an elephant-shaped structure was so novel at the time that he even applied for, and was granted, a U.S. patent for his design. It served as a one-time residence but never as a hotel as some stories say.

The elephant is made of wood and tin sheeting, with windows for eyes and on its sides. People can climb another set of stairs all the way up to the canopy on her back for a breath-taking view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Inside the belly is a lobby with a mini-museum, which is also a place for wedding ceremonies! Imagine exchanging "I Do's" inside a wooden elephant!

Lucy eventually became a gloomy, dilapidated giant in a sandy landscape that prompted concerned Margate citizens to form the "Save Lucy" committee. Through the help of volunteers, Lucy again became an elegant elephant that will continue to delight kids of all ages.

Here's a photo I took of Lucy from my celfone camera:

I love Lucy the Elephant in Margate, NJ! So big, can't fit her.

I ♥ Lucy!

11 vandalized my wall:

Chris Overstreet said...

Lucy looks great! Every time I get to NJ I never seem to have time to visit her. Next time, it's a date!

lauren said...

such a cute elephant, and very creatively done! :)

Sheila said...

I admit I really can't quite imagine why anyone would want to be married inside an elephant, though I'm sure it would be fun. The view from the top must be great! I love views. :)

Paul van Yperen said...

Funny how you have to enter Lucy.

Great post and among today's excellent PFF cards the most wonderful!

Postcardy said...

I love Lucy and her postcard.

Kayni said...

Lucky Lucy! She looks great.

Snap said...

I think I love Lucy, too! What a hoot! Too cool. Thanks for sharing Lucy with us.

AVCr8teur said...

I didn't know Lucy existed until your post. It is simply awesome! I have to make it a point to visit if I'm ever in NJ.

Sidney said...

Hahaha...that is cute and funny !

The Nomadic Pinoy said...

Looks like the guy who had this built was inspired by the elephants used as a form of transport by the Maharajahs of India.

Evelyn Yvonne Theriault said...

Quite hilarious - and quite a coincidence because I just saw Lucy for the first time today on a Postcrossing blog - but your postcard has more details!
Thanks for my Sunday morning laugh!
Evelyn in Montreal

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