Camp Boardwalk: Atlantic City’s Finest Hour and America’s 250th Anniversary

Hey Folks,

As our nation prepares to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary, I found myself standing in front of one of Atlantic City’s most important historical markers, reflecting on a chapter of our history that deserves to be remembered.

The plaque outside Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is dedicated to what many call Atlantic City’s “Finest Hour” — a time when our famous resort town answered the call of duty during World War II. Looking at those words etched in bronze, it’s hard not to feel a sense of pride.

Most people know Atlantic City for entertainment, the Boardwalk, and big events. But from 1942 through 1945, Atlantic City became known across America as Camp Boardwalk. Hotels that once welcomed vacationers were transformed into military training facilities. Thousands of servicemen and women came here to prepare for war, recover from injuries, and begin the difficult journey back to civilian life.

The inscription on the Boardwalk Hall plaque honors the thousands of members of the United States Armed Forces who trained, served, and recovered in Atlantic City during World War II, along with the residents of Atlantic City and Atlantic County who opened their hearts and helped make them feel at home.

What many visitors don’t realize is that today’s Resorts Casino Hotel was once part of the legendary Thomas M. England General Hospital. The former Chalfonte-Haddon Hall became one of the largest military hospitals in the country, treating wounded soldiers returning from battle. The Boardwalk itself became part of their recovery, with veterans using it for rehabilitation and physical therapy while local residents, the USO, and volunteers rallied around them.

If you know Atlantic City, you know we’ve always had a special relationship with our military. Long before casino gaming, before headline concerts and championship fights, this city stepped forward when America needed it most. That’s a legacy worth celebrating.

As we approach the 250th birthday of the United States, it’s important to remember that Atlantic City’s story is part of America’s story. Camp Boardwalk wasn’t just a nickname. It was a mission. It was service. It was sacrifice. And it was a community coming together during one of the most challenging periods in our nation’s history.

Next time you’re walking the Boardwalk, stop for a moment outside Boardwalk Hall. Read the plaque. Think about the young men and women who passed through here more than 80 years ago. Their story is woven into every board, every hotel, and every piece of Atlantic City’s history.

🇺🇸 Places to Visit and Reflect

• Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall — Home to the Camp Boardwalk commemorative plaque and one of Atlantic City’s most historic landmarks. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
• Resorts Casino Hotel — Site of the former Thomas M. England General Hospital commemorative marker. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Atlantic City Experience — Explore photographs, archives, and stories from Camp Boardwalk and Atlantic City’s military history. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

As we celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary over the next year, let’s also celebrate Atlantic City’s role in helping defend the freedoms we enjoy today. Some stories deserve more than a footnote. Camp Boardwalk is one of them.

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See you on the 48

AC Mike