More than a century ago, Atlantic City business leaders searching for a way to extend the summer tourism season created an event that would become a national institution.
Sixteen-year-old Margaret Gorman of Washington, D.C., emerged as the top contestant during the Atlantic City Pageant, a two-day festival held Sept. 7 and 8, 1921. The competition later evolved into the Miss America pageant, with Gorman recognized as its first winner.
The event grew out of the Fall Frolic, a promotion organized by Atlantic City businesses in 1920 to encourage visitors to remain at the resort beyond Labor Day. Although the first celebration achieved modest success, organizers expanded it the following year with parades, entertainment and a competition featuring young women representing several East Coast cities.
Newspapers helped select the contestants through local popularity contests. Gorman, then a student at Western High School, entered after her photograph was submitted to The Washington Herald. After being chosen to represent Washington, she received an expenses-paid trip to Atlantic City.
The visiting contestants became known as the “Inter-City Beauties.” They appeared in a Boardwalk parade and participated in the Inter-City Beauty Contest on Sept. 7. The competition was judged partly by a panel and partly by audience response.
Gorman, whose appearance was frequently compared with that of silent film star Mary Pickford, won the amateur division and received the Watkins Trophy. The following day, she joined contestants in the Bather’s Revue, which brought together more than 200 women in several categories.
Gorman again earned the top honor, receiving the Golden Mermaid trophy and recognition as “the most beautiful bathing girl in America.” Although she is now known as Miss America 1921, the Miss America title was not formally used for her until she returned to Atlantic City for the 1922 competition. A new representative had already been selected as Miss Washington, prompting organizers to introduce Gorman under the title “Miss America.”
The festival featured elaborate floats, decorated rolling chairs and a theatrical appearance by Hudson Maxim, an inventor who portrayed King Neptune. Contestants were judged at Keith’s Theatre on Garden Pier, where political leaders, artists and entertainers served on the judging panel.
The event accomplished its original purpose by drawing attention and visitors to Atlantic City after the traditional close of the summer season. It also established a tradition that became closely connected with the resort for generations.
Gorman died in 1995 at age 90. Her victory remains a defining moment in Atlantic City history and the beginning of one of the nation’s most recognizable competitions.
