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Conservation and Heritage

Roadside architecture is a uniquely American form. These buildings, erected alongside the country’s intertwined network of roads and highways, were designed with the specific intent to attract travellers off of the road and into their particular form of commerce. What better way to catch the attention of the weary traveller than to construct your business to appear glaringly out of place? “Lucy the Elephant”, located just off of the beach in Margate City, New Jersey (US), is the earliest example of this peculiar architectural form. “Lucy” was built in 1882 by a real estate developer trying to lure prospective buyers to the open beach just south of the popular resort community of Atlantic City. Not surprisingly, the 60-foot tall (20 m), 90-ton pachyderm rising from the beach startled many seafaring captains navigating their way to the bustling harbour of New York City. Lucy’s constant gaze out to the open ocean continues to this day due to the efforts of an active preservation organization. Time and time again, she has been rescued from the ravages of hurricanes, fires and neglect. Ironically, her biggest threat today is posed by land developers that understand the value of the same real estate upon which she was built 142 years ago.