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"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.
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