"The Elephant Hotel" by Paul McGehee
Image Size: 10 5/8" x 15 5/8" ; Edition: 2,000 S/N
Signed and Numbered: $ 100.00
Is the original still available?

"The Elephant Hotel" by Paul McGehee depicts America's oldest roadside attraction, Lucy the Elephant. Built in 1881 on the southern portion of the beach strand of Atlantic City, New Jersey the structure was originally intended to lure prospective real estate buyers to the shore. From the lofty perch of the howdah atop the 65' wood and tin plate structure, the elephant-shaped structure's height afforded one a panoramic view of the undeveloped lands surrounding the burgeoning beach resort, then in its infancy. For many years it was known as The Elephant Hotel, as one could rent seaside rooms inside the building, accessed by spiral staircases coursing upwards within her back legs. Unfortunately, The Elephant Hotel was neglected in more recent years, and eventually fell into a sad state of disrepair. In 1966, "Lucy" (as she was affectionately named by the townspeople) was saved from the wrecking ball when she was designated a protected landmark. In 1970 she was carefully cut from her foundation and moved down the road to the town of Margate, just south of Atlantic City. She has, through the loving care of countless volunteers and many donations, been beautifully restored to her former glory and is now a museum. Lucy, the old Elephant Hotel, has been around from the early days of Atlantic City, to the golden age of "The World's Playground", to the modern era of hotels and casinos...she has withstood hurricanes and "superstorms"...she is the iconic, living symbol of Atlantic City. "The Elephant Hotel" is faithfully reproduced from Paul's original color pencil drawing as an archival quality print issued in a strictly limited edition of only 2,000 pieces each hand-signed by the artist.