Is Lucy the Margate Elephant Endangered?

Margate, New Jersey’s most iconic resident, is definitely Lucy the Elephant. But Lucy is facing an uncertain future after landing on an unusual endangered species list.

Courtesy of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created by President Donald Trump earlier this year and led at that time by Elon Musk, DOGE has aggressively slashed federal spending, eliminating agencies, jobs, and grants across the country. One of the casualties is a $500,000 federal grant intended for Lucy’s much-needed restoration and fire-safety upgrades.

Lucy the Elephant in Margate, NJ, is a six-story, elephant-shaped building constructed in 1882 as a real estate attraction. Today, she is the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in America. In 1976, Lucy was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark, joining icons like the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore. 

Built in 1882 by Philadelphia entrepreneur James V. Lafferty, Lucy was originally called the Elephant Bazaar. Lafferty patented the idea of animal-shaped buildings, hoping to lure buyers to South Atlantic City (now Margate). 

Standing 65 feet tall and weighing about 90 tons, Lucy was modeled after Jumbo, the famous Barnum & Bailey elephant. Construction required nearly one million pieces of wood, 200 kegs of nails, 4 tons of bolts, and 12,000 square feet of tin.

Early visitors were escorted to Lucy’s howdah observation deck to view land parcels for sale. In 1887, she was sold to Anton Gertzen of Philadelphia, whose family owned her until 1970. Anton’s daughter-in-law, Sophia Gertzen, gave Lucy her name in 1902. 

Over the decades, Lucy served as a restaurant, tavern, summer residence, and even a business office. By the mid-20th century, Lucy fell into disrepair, battered by the coastal environment. In 1969, she faced demolition when developers bought the land. The Save Lucy Committee, formed in 1970, raised funds to move her a few blocks away and restore her. Lucy reopened to the public in 1974 after extensive restoration.

The latest restoration plans include interior repairs and installation of a modern fire suppression system. $300,000 in state funds had been secured, and Lucy's caretakers were relying on federal support to complete the project. 

With that funding gone, a grassroots fundraising campaign is now underway to fill the \$500,000 gap. Though Margate boasts many wealthy summer residents and a median home price in the seven figures, the campaign has yet to generate the widespread support needed to secure Lucy’s future.

Critics argue that preserving an aging elephant-shaped landmark may not be the best use of taxpayer dollars. Supporters, however, see Lucy as a symbol of local heritage and worry that federal efficiency has come at the cost of cultural preservation.

About Lucy - Lucy The Elephant 

Save Lucy Committee 

Lucy is at 9200 Atlantic Ave Margate City, New Jersey

LUCY IN THE MOVIES

In 1972, Lucy appeared in the movie The King of Marvin Gardens, starring Jack Nicholson and Bruce Dern. In 1980, Lucy can be briefly seen in the opening credits of Louis Malle's Oscar-nominated film, Atlantic City, starring Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon. 

In 1983, Lucy is shown on a postcard with a picture in the opening credits of the film National Lampoon's Vacation. In 2015, Lucy was featured in the opening credits of another film Vacation, similar to the original 1983 film, National Lampoon's Vacation, even though these films do not take place in NJ. That is also true for the ice cream shop with a living area above shaped like Lucy that appears in the 1991 Disney film The Rocketeer, although the film takes place in Southern California.

Even further from NJ is The Jardin, the Paris Elephant, a real-life large elephant structure inspired by “Elephantine Colossus” (a larger version of Lucy, built by Lafferty in 1885 on Coney Island), which is featured as the location of the boudoir of Nicole Kidman's character in the 2001 film Moulin Rouge.

Leaving Your Leaves Is a Good Thing for Your Garden and the Planet

People in my suburban neighborhood are still raking leaves to the curb, and the leaf blowers are still working hard, but maybe there shouldn't be a fall clean-up frenzy.

Many of us have been brought up to believe that a tidy, sterile lawn is the sign of a "good gardener." That bare look is ecologically disastrous.

Walk through a forest now, and the floor is covered in a rich tapestry of leaves. That’s what nature intends.

Leaving the leaves is a matter of life or death for beneficial bugs. Dozens of species that pollinate our crops, eat pests, and power the entire food web survive the winter by hunkering down in the leaf litter. We're talking about native bees, butterflies, moths, and more, who shelter there as adults, eggs, larvae, or cozy cocoons. 

Scientists have been sounding the alarm about a global "insect apocalypse," and by tossing those leaves, we’re essentially trashing their winter homes and their only shot at surviving until spring. 

Your birdfeeder is nice if you keep it stocked, but birds evolved to forage on native seed heads all winter long, so leaving them standing through winter is one of the easiest ways to support bird populations.

Raking and blowing is mostly about aesthetics. The lawn covered with leaves might not be the look you want and thick layers of leaves can turn a lawn patchy, but removing leaves from the lawn and then entirely from your whole landscape might not be necessary. I was even taught to be careful removing the leaf litter too ealy in late winter or early spring because the life beneath wasn't ready to handle the temperature fluctuations.

Putting leaves into my garden beds has become my habit. They become free, nutrient-rich mulch that suppresses weeds and feeds your soil. I do use a mulching mower to shred them into small pieces. And a lot of it goes into my compost, where they will decompose into beautiful leaf mold—one of the best, richest soil amendments on the planet.

Don't pile leaves or mulch right up against the base of tree trunks because tree roots need to breathe.

Visiting Hunterdon County New Jersey

The Delaware and Raritan Canal in Lambertville
Image by Jared Kofsky/PlaceNJ.com CC BY-SA 3.0

Hunterdon County was named for Robert Hunter, a colonial governor of New Jersey. Language changes over time and location. Robert's family seat of "Hunterston" was in Ayrshire, Scotland, but the name became "Hunterdon" when it was used in the U.S. 

Hunterdon County is a place where outdoor activities can easily fill up a weekend trip. Cross-town trails, antique flea markets, and Colonial-era taverns look over the Delaware River on the west, while farms and vineyards dot the interior, and arboretums and parks make for pet- and family-friendly visits on the east. 

A nature walk or bike ride through the Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park is a possibility. The towpath is 70 continuous miles of gravel path. But a beginner-friendly trail between Stockton and Lambertville is roughly four miles each way.

Clinton, New Jersey with Red Mill (foreground) and the downtown district
across the Raritan River (background) Image by John Bohnel - CC BY-SA 3.0

It's not all outdoors, though. As the weather gets colder, you might find it preferable to visit the Stockton Inn Boutique Hotel, a 300-year-old property, still serves as Stockton’s anchor and makes the case for staying in town. This nine-room pet-friendly hotel has two new adjacent “carriage houses” and two new on-site restaurants and bars run by globally-trained Executive Chef Bob Truitt and New York City tiki bar legend, Brian Miller. It is across the street from the Stockton Market. 

The Sergeantsville Inn is popular with locals and restaurant critics. Hunterdon County is also home to a restaurant owned by Saveur magazine’s founding food editor and former test kitchen director called Canal House Station. Book your seat A.S.A.P. as USA Today named Canal House Station as one of the Best Restaurants of 2025.

Art, wine, and food come together at Finnbar, a Frenchtown place that blends art and hospitality, showcasing local artists on its restaurant walls, welcoming visitors from ArtYard up the road for a pre- or post-show bite, and sharing profits with nearby non-profit Studio Route 29. 

Visit The Ciderhouse at Ironbound Farm in Asbury. Ironbound is a regenerative farm and incubator, on-site cidery, winery, market, restaurant (with an indoor tasting menu), and animal farm that supports New Jersey’s agricultural ecosystem through 579 farm trail and second-chance hiring practices. In the fall, weekend food trucks park out in the pavilion, musicians show up, and the fire pits light up. And with several indoor/outdoor spaces, there isn’t a bad seat to snag. 

Hunterdon County’s craft beverage scene is also a trip in itself, with nine breweries, two cideries, and six vineyards, including Unionville Vineyards and Beneduce Vineyards, part of the Jersey Winemakers Co-Op “Open Source” wine project. 

If shopping in picturesque small towns with charming main streets are your vibe, then Bridge Street in Frenchtown should be considered. Check out the records abd do some vinyl shopping at Blue Raven Records, picking up outdoor gear at Sunbeam General Store, and gift shopping at Modern Love.

Antique shop lovers should spend an afternoon on Union Street in Lambertville, meandering the aisles of must-visit stores like A Touch of the Past Antiques, Midiri Antiques, and the People’s Center.  

High Point State Park

High Point State Park in Sussex County, New Jersey, is a great destination for outdoor recreation and excellent views. 

As the highest elevation in the state, it offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and year-round activities. Nestled atop the Kittatinny Ridge at 1,803 feet above sea level, High Point State Park is a jewel in New Jersey’s park system. 

Whether you’re seeking solitude on a wooded trail, family fun by the lake, or awe-inspiring views from the monument, High Point State Park delivers. It’s a destination where history, nature, and recreation converge—making it one of New Jersey’s most treasured outdoor escapes.

Spanning more than 16,000 acres, the park is best known for the High Point Monument, a 220-foot granite obelisk dedicated to New Jersey’s veterans. From its summit, visitors enjoy panoramic vistas stretching across three states—the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, the Catskills of New York, and the rolling valleys of New Jersey.

For recreation seekers, High Point offers an abundance of options. The park boasts over 50 miles of trails, ranging from gentle walks to challenging hikes. These trails accommodate not only hikers but also mountain bikers, horseback riders, and, in winter, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. 

Seasonal changes transform the landscape: spring wildflowers, lush summer greenery, fiery autumn foliage, and serene snow-covered ridges make every visit distinct. Winter transforms High Point into a snowy playground. With trails open for snowmobiling, dogsledding, and skiing, the park becomes a hub for cold-weather recreation. Even in the chill, the monument and surrounding ridges remain accessible, offering crisp, clear views that reward those willing to brave the season. 

Water enthusiasts gravitate toward Lake Marcia, a spring-fed lake perfect for swimming in summer months, fishing, or enjoying a peaceful picnic by the shore. Families often spend the day at the designated beach area, while anglers cast lines for trout and bass. 

The park also features campgrounds, making it a favorite spot for weekend getaways under the stars. High Point is more than just a natural escape—it’s a place of discovery. Visitors can engage in geocaching adventures, explore historic sites, or participate in educational programs hosted by the Friends of High Point State Park. 

Wildlife enthusiasts will find deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species thriving in the park’s diverse habitats, offering ample opportunities for photography and quiet observationThe Tourist Checklist.