Why was the boardwalk first built?

To keep sand out of hotels and trains

Atlantic City Boardwalk Quiz: Saltwater Taffy and Monopoly

This Atlantic City boardwalk quiz strolls the seaside planks of New Jersey's famous resort. Play 10 interactive questions on the first boardwalk in 1870, why it was built, the saltwater taffy legend, Monopoly's street names, rolling chairs, the Steel Pier and its diving horse, the first Miss America in 1921, legal casinos and Boardwalk Empire.

Start Atlantic City Boardwalk Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

State
Which state is Atlantic City in?
First
When was Atlantic City's first boardwalk built?
Why
Why was the boardwalk first built?
Taffy
Which candy is linked to the boardwalk?
Game
Which board game uses Atlantic City street names?
Chairs
What were rolling chairs?
Pier
Which pier was famous for a diving horse act?
Pageant
Which pageant began there in 1921?
Casinos
When did New Jersey voters approve casinos for Atlantic City?
Show
Which HBO series was set in Prohibition-era Atlantic City?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which state is Atlantic City in?
Answer: New Jersey
It sits on Absecon Island.
Q2: When was Atlantic City's first boardwalk built?
Answer: 1870
It was the first in the US.
Q3: Why was the boardwalk first built?
Answer: To keep sand out of hotels and trains
Sandy shoes annoyed hotel owners.
Q4: Which candy is linked to the boardwalk?
Answer: Saltwater taffy
A legend says a flood soaked a candy shop.
Q5: Which board game uses Atlantic City street names?
Answer: Monopoly
Boardwalk is the priciest property.
Q6: What were rolling chairs?
Answer: Pushed wicker carts for riders
Attendants pushed visitors along.
Q7: Which pier was famous for a diving horse act?
Answer: Steel Pier
The horse leapt into a pool.
Q8: Which pageant began there in 1921?
Answer: Miss America
It started as a tourism event.
Q9: When did New Jersey voters approve casinos for Atlantic City?
Answer: 1976
The first casino opened in 1978.
Q10: Which HBO series was set in Prohibition-era Atlantic City?
Answer: Boardwalk Empire
It followed Nucky Thompson.

Taffy, Piers and Monopoly's Real Streets

Atlantic City, New Jersey, built America's first boardwalk in 1870. Hotel owners and railroad workers were tired of guests tracking beach sand inside, so a wooden walkway was laid along the shore. It grew into a grand promenade lined with shops, hotels and amusement piers.

Saltwater taffy became the boardwalk's signature treat, and a popular legend says a flooded candy shop gave it the name. Visitors rode in pushed wicker rolling chairs, and the Steel Pier became famous for a diving horse act. The first Miss America pageant was held there in 1921.

The board game Monopoly borrowed Atlantic City street names, with Boardwalk as its most expensive property. After decline, voters approved casinos in 1976, and the first opened in 1978. HBO's Boardwalk Empire later dramatized the city's Prohibition years and its political boss Nucky Thompson.

What This Quiz Teaches

History fans will enjoy these questions.

Why the boardwalk was built
Which treats it made famous
Which attractions stood there
How Monopoly connects
How the city changed

Did You Know?

Monopoly's Marvin Gardens is spelled Marven Gardens in real life.
Lucy the Elephant stands in nearby Margate.
The boardwalk is several miles long.
Ocean storms have damaged it many times.
Many piers hosted concerts and circuses.