Four Historic June Events That Shaped South Jersey

June carries more history in our part of New Jersey than most people realize. Michael, at Kensington Furniture in Northfield, walks through four events that happened in June and shaped the identity of the Jersey Shore we know today: the first boardwalk, the first paid lifeguard, the opening of the Steel Pier, and the law that eventually brought casino gambling to Atlantic City.

1870: The First Boardwalk Opens

A hundred and fifty-six years ago, the first boardwalk along the seashore opened. It's easy to take for granted now, but that first boardwalk set the pattern for what the Ocean City Boardwalk and others along the Shore would become. As Michael puts it, a walk or a run on the boardwalk "really separates our area from others."

1892: The First Paid Lifeguard

In 1892, a hundred and thirty-four years ago, Atlantic City brought on the first paid lifeguard on its beaches. It marked a shift toward organized beach safety, something visitors to the Shore rely on every summer without thinking twice about where the practice started.

1898: The Steel Pier Opens

The Steel Pier opened in June of 1898, a hundred and twenty-eight years ago. It became known for acts like the diving horse and drew performers who made it a fixture of Atlantic City entertainment. It's the kind of local landmark that gives the area its character, and it remains iconic to the community.

1977: The Casino Control Act

Forty-nine years ago, in 1977, the Casino Control Act passed. That legislation opened the door for legalized casino gambling in Atlantic City, leading to the opening of Resorts in May of 1978, the city's first casino. It's the piece of legislation behind the skyline South Jersey residents see today.

Why June Stands Out Here

Put together, these four events explain why June feels like the high point of the year along this stretch of the Shore. The weather turns warm, the beaches open for the season, and the boardwalk, the beaches, and the casinos all trace back to decisions and openings that happened in this same month across more than a century.

Michael's message is simple: get out and enjoy it. He shares these stories from inside Kensington Furniture, which he describes as the community's longest-standing family-owned furniture store, based in Northfield and serving South Jersey and the Shore.