1869 the now existent boundaries of the city were fixed by an act of the legislature. In 1881 two wards were created, and in 1887 increased population necessitated two additional wards. A board of education was formed in 1886, and a board of health in 1888.

The first effort in the line of

public improvements was in 1856, when city scrip amounting to $1,500 was issued to be expended in grading and street construction. In 1857 a house was erected for the convenience of excursionists. This was on Atlantic avenue and it stood until 1870, when a more commodious structure was built at the foot of Missouri avenue. A long platform for the use of excursionists was built on Atlantic avenue, and this led to litigation between the railroad officials and the city authorities, which was continued until 1881, when the difficulties were adjusted.

In 1870 the first "Boardwalk" (and the finest in the world of its kind and for its purpose) was built' This was eight feet wide, and its cost was $5,000, for which city scrip was issued. Many of the older residents antagonized the project, and it was carried to success by the young men. A second walk, sixteen feet in width, was built in 1879, was destroyed during the great storms in the winter of 1883-4, and was almost immediately replaced, but enlarged, at a cost under $10,000. September 10, 1889, this walk was almost completely wrecked by storm, but was rebuilt, higher and stronger, and the completion of the new structure was celebrated May 10, 1890, with a grand torchlight and fireworks pro

cession of militia, firemen, civic societies and citizens. The total cost of this improvement, including purchase of necessary lands and buildings, was $53,928.50.

The

In 1896 the act authorizing the construction of the last Boardwalk was amended, and under it a new one of steel was contracted for. contract was awarded to the Phoenix Bridge Company, of Philadelphia, and work was begun on April 24, 1896. The formality of a public dedication of this new walk was observed on July 8, 1896, when the golden nail was driven by Mrs. Stoy, wife of the mayor. There was a great public assembly on the lawn or park opposite the Hotel Brighton, where speeches were delivered by Congressman Gardner and others. In the evening there was a parade of citizens, military companies and fire companies on the Boardwalk, and a display of fireworks. The walk was not entirely completed until the following September, having a temporary railing during most of the summer. The entire cost, including legal expenses, was $143.986.38. The Chelsea extension of this walk was built in the spring of J898, at a cost of about $17,000. The old walk from the foot of Vermont avenue northward was torn down and an improved one was built nearer the beach in 1899-1900, at a cost of about $10,000.

The official designation of "Boardwalk" was given it by resolution of the city council, August 17, 1896.

A gas and water company was incorporated in 1873. The works and franchise were subsequently sold by a receiver, and in 1880 the company was reorganized. In 1900 the legislature authorized the city to expend one and one-half million dollars for the purchase and extension of the waterworks system, but little more than two-thirds of this amount was actually used. In 1S95 the then existing plant was purchased at an outlay of $7/1,782, and the entire cost, including extensions, was $1,098,500. The nucleus of the present fire department was the United States Fire Company, organized December 4, 1874, and the first steam fire engine was procured in 1S81. The sewerage system was begun in 1884.

The first city hall was built in 1875. This edifice was replaced in 1900 by a line structure erected at a cost of $90,000, and this was destroyed by fire in 1893.

The first horse-car street railway company was organized in 1869, but no track was laid. In 1874 the charter issued to this company was revived, and the Atlantic City Horse Car Railroad Company was organized and rails were laid in October. In 1889 electric power was introduced.

The first religious services held in Atlantic City were by the Methodists, who in 1856 built a house of worship, which was dedicated in the

following year. In 1850 the Presbyterians and Roman Catholics also erected church buildings.

The first newspaper printed in the town was the "Atlantic City Daily Review," founded by A. L. English, a native of the county. The first issue was dated July 1, 1872. and it was published every day in the week except Sunday until September 1st, when it suspended. Publication was resumed July 1st following, and the paper again suspended September 1st. In the following October a weekly edition was begun, and this has appeared regularly until the present time.

Mr. English was a most capable journalist and an energetic publicspirited citizen, and his influence was potent in advancing the interests of the city during the days when it was making endeavor to become a permanent and prosperous place of residence and business as well as a summer resort. March 1, 1884, Mr. English sold the paper to Alfred M. Heston and John G. Shreve, who labored no less industriously and successfully than did their predecessor. Mr. Heston retired from the paper in 1887, and the paper has since that time been conducted by Mr. Shreve. The daily edition was printed only during the summer months until 1888, when its every week-day issue during the year began and has been successfully continued from that time.

A peculiar interest attaches to the history of the "Times-Democrat. and Star-Gazette," published by the Daily Union Printing Company, of which John F. Hall is manager and principal owner. This journal represents four different publications. The "Democrat" was printed at Absecon in 1861. The "Times" was published at Hammonton, by General Joseph Barbiere, and it was removed to Atlantic City in 1878. The "Star? had its origin in Mays Landing, and the "Gazette" in Egg Harbor City. The company now owning these consolidated journals also conducts the "Daily Union."

In the development of the city the railroads have played a very important part. In 1876 the increasing importance of the place made another railroad desirable, and the Philadelphia & Atlantic City Railroad Company was incorporated. The construction of a road was commenced in April, 1877, and the first through train was run on July 25th of the same year. It is now operated by what is commonly known as the Reading Company, of Philadelphia. The competing facilities offered by this nuid have been of the greatest benefit to the city, and have aided materially in the development of the place. Early in the spring of 1880 the West Jersey Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad extended its line to Atlantic City. The opening of this line was of exceptional benefit to the city, since a direct route to New York City, without change of cars, was therebv afforded.

Some years afterward the Pennsylvania Railroad Company built a bridge. across the Delaware River above Camden, and began running through trains to Philadelphia and the West by this route on April 19, 1S96.

At the founding of the city, in 1854, the population was but 100, and in 1856, when the first public improvements were inaugurated, it was only 375. In the decade ending in 1870 it had increased from 687 to 1,043. In the next decade the annual increase was 300 to 600. From 1880 to 1890 it had increased from 5.477 to 13.037, and in 1900 it was 27,838.

The administration of municipal affairs is vested in a mayor and board of councilmen, and there are numerous departments and officers charged with the various duties necessary to the efficient maintenance of a great city.

The water commissioners have charge of waterworks which cost $1,098,500, with fifty-eight miles of water pipes and 519 hydrants.

The fire department includes forty-one paid employees, thirty-seven pieces of apparatus and thirty-nine horses. The apparatus is as follows: Eight engines, three chemical engines, three combination chemical and hose wagons, six hose wagons, two aerial trucks, one combination chemical truck and hose wagon, two patrol wagons, six supply wagons, one hand carriage, three parade wagons, one crab and one chief's wagon. Besides these there are one life net, seventeen hand extinguishers, 17.750 feet of fire hose. 2,550 feet of chemical hose and 150 feet of rope for use of fire wardens. The police force consists of a chief and thirty-six officers and patrolmen in winter and forty-six in summer.

The public schools are well-appointed and six in number, the oldest being at Pennsylvania and Arctic avenues. The original building was removed in 1887, and a new brick building erected on the site at a cost of $20,000. The other buildings are on Indiana avenue near Arctic avenue, on Texas avenue and Arctic avenue, on Arctic avenue near New Jersey avenue, an imposing brick and stone high-school building at the corner of Illinois and Arctic avenues, finished in 1896, and the Chelsea school, at the corner of Brighton and Arctic avenues, finished in 1897. The buildings are well heated, comfortably furnished and connected with the sewer system. According to the school census of 1901 the number of school children in Atlantic City was 4,760. A new high-school building, costing S88,ooo, is located at Ohio and Pacific avenues. The site for this building cost $50,000. Another school building is also completed on the West Side, costing $20,000.

The Friends' Select School has three departments, kindergarten, primary and intermediate. It is located at Pacific and South Carolina avenues. The leading religious denominations maintain houses of worship, some