Wildwood is a beautiful city in Cape May County, New Jersey. Wildwood was initially incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 1, 1895. Wildwood became a city on January 1, 1912, replacing Wildwood borough and Holly Beach City. During the last decade of the 19th century, the Wildwoods began to develop as a resort. During the 1950s, a building boom began due partially to the construction and completion of the Garden State Parkway.
Tourists and vacationers love Wildwood as a resort city. Wildwood’s year-round population of over 5,300 grows to 250,000 during the summer peak tourist season. More than 200 motels were built in Wildwood during the Doo-Wop era of the 1950s and 1960s, in an area designated by the state of New Jersey as the Wildwoods Shore Resort Historic District.
Here are some stunning vintage photos that show Wildwood in 1978 by John Margolies.
Oh man! Dracula’s Castle! I still have vivid memories of riding on my dad’s back and hiding my face against his shoulder when going through there in the 1980’s.
Great pics. Definitely jives with my memories. Loved the Star Wars ride.
Wow, I was 6/7 and going down every summer with my grandparents. I miss these days so much. Loved Hunts Pier!
My friend and I went on that Star Wars ride/walk through probably 20 times that summer. We were 10 and obsessed with Star Wars
Born in June 1978. First Wildwood trip? August 1978. We stayed at the Shore Plaza from 1978-1992 (my dad died in 1991 and pre-booked the room).
I feel old when I say I remember 7 amusement piers.