Our community took an important step in honoring its past on June 25 when Atlantic City officially recognized Chicken Bone Beach as a state historical landmark and unveiled a comprehensive online tour celebrating Black cultural heritage throughout the city.
The ceremony at Missouri Avenue and the Boardwalk brought together Mayor Marty Small Sr., Assemblywoman Maureen Rowan, D-Atlantic, and members of the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation to dedicate the marker, which formally adds the site to New Jersey's Black Heritage Trail. This marks the first such designation within Atlantic City limits and the 16th physical marker installed across the state.
The Northside shoreline location holds deep significance for generations of Black families who made it their gathering place during an era when segregation barred them from most of Atlantic City's beaches. Beginning around 1900, Black visitors faced widespread exclusion from the resort's oceanfront, but Chicken Bone Beach became a vibrant hub where families could enjoy the shore together.
The New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, established through state legislation in 2022 and administered by the New Jersey Historical Commission, now encompasses 77 locations spanning 16 counties. The program combines physical markers with a virtual museum to preserve and share stories central to understanding Black history and culture throughout the state.
Immediately after the marker dedication, city officials launched the Atlantic City Black Cultural Heritage Tour, a digital platform that allows residents and visitors to explore sites tied to our African American heritage. The interactive experience was created through collaboration between the city's Planning and Development Department, Historic Building Architects LLC, and Fish Bowl Media, with support from the New Jersey Historical Commission.
The online tour features several historically significant locations, including Pop Lloyd Stadium, Fire Station No. 2, Sonny's Barbershop, and Saint James AME Church. Users can navigate the sites at their own pace or follow a guided route complete with historical context, archival photographs, and video interviews with community members who share their personal connections to these places.
"Both of today's events remind us that preserving and sharing these stories is essential to understanding what makes Atlantic City so special," Small said at the event.
The initiative represents part of ongoing work to document and interpret the rich history of neighborhoods like the Northside, which served as a thriving center of Black-owned businesses, entertainment venues, and community institutions throughout the twentieth century. These efforts ensure that future generations understand the resilience and contributions of the families who shaped our city's character during challenging times.
Community members can access the Atlantic City Black Cultural Heritage Tour through the city's website at acnj.gov.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
