Rides A.M. in Seaside Heights, New Jersey

by John Margolies

John Margolies’ “Rides A.M., Seaside Heights, New Jersey” (circa 1978) captures the beauty of the mid-century boardwalk ride in the clear daylight of the early morning. Renowned for his lifelong commitment to documenting American vernacular architecture and roadside attractions, Margolies focuses on the graphic nature of the empty amusement park in the absence of daytime visitors by showcasing the strong geometric shapes of its rides. The image contrasts the dark, curving mechanisms of the Octopus ride in the foreground with the lattice structure of the Ferris wheel and other fairground rides against the sky blue background.

A vintage photograph kept in the Library of Congress Roadside America collection, this picture is dedicated to the nostalgia, bright colors, and coastal popular culture of the traditional Jersey Shore.