Lucy the Elephant: Our quirky hometown roadside attraction needs your vote

By Erica Hoffman

In the wide world of roadside attractions and National Historic Landmarks, Lucy the Elephant stands tall—quite literally, at six stories. From his unmistakable yearly color-changing toenails to her distinguished howdah, which boasts one of, if not the best, views of the Jersey Shore skyline, Lucy has been an unconventional monument bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to our humble oasis since being built in 1882. In 2023, 42,267 tours took place, surpassing the previous record set in 2018.

Now, Lucy is vying for the title of the best roadside attraction in the United States, and she needs our help to secure the win! The nationwide competition, organized by USA Today, features a diverse array of unique and beloved landmarks from coast to coast.

Roadside attractions such as Kansas’s World’s Largest Ball of Twine, Ohio’s Pencil Sharpener Museum, Minnesota’s Paul Bunyan and his pet Babe the Blue Ox, and other interesting side-of-the-road oddities are in the running for the winning title.

But Lucy isn’t just any contender – she’s a symbol of nostalgia, ingenuity, and the enduring allure of the open road. At the time of this printing, Lucy was first on the leaderboard for this prestigious title.

Now, it’s our turn to ensure this hometown landmark gets the recognition it deserves. Lucy needs the entire community’s support to clinch the title of the best roadside attraction in the country, which shouldn’t be too hard because, well… It is the best roadside attraction in the country.

This iconic elephant-shaped building located steps away from the Margate shoreline off of S. Decatur Avenue has been capturing the hearts and imaginations of visitors for almost a century and a half. With her endearing charm and unique architecture, Lucy has become a beloved symbol of Margate City and a cherished and quirky local landmark that residents and summer visitors are proud to call a part of their personal and family nostalgia.

Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her lifetime, including damages from natural disasters, Lucy has endured as a testament to resilience and community spirit. Generations of visitors have marveled at her elephantine stature, climbed her spiral staircase, and soaked in panoramic views from her majestic howdah.

Voting for Lucy is not just about celebrating a unique landmark; it’s about preserving a piece of American history and honoring the legacy of those who have worked tirelessly to protect her. Winning this title would be an honor to Lucy’s charm and the community that has rallied behind him for generations.

So, the real question is: How can you help keep Lucy secure in her number one spot in roadside attraction history? Cast your vote! Spread the word to friends and family. Share Lucy’s story on your social media pages while encouraging others to join the cause. Every vote counts in this competitive race, and together, we can ensure that Lucy the Elephant takes her rightful place as the best roadside attraction in the United States.

By supporting her in this competition, you’re not just voting for a landmark – you’re voting for a symbol of resilience, community, and the enduring magic of the open road. Let’s help Lucy make history once again!

Readers can vote once per category per day by visiting www.10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-roadside-attraction-2024/

Or by scanning the QR code below. Voting ends on Monday, May 6, at noon ET. USA Today will announce the 10 winners on Wednesday, May 15.

Erica Hoffman was born in Atlantic City and is proud to be writing for Shore Local. She lives in South Jersey and enjoys finding and sharing the lighter side of life.