Skateboard Park in Ocean City, New Jersey

by John Margolies

This impressive picture, taken under the bright blue skies of New Jersey in 1978, captures the untamed, nascent era of East Coast skateboarding. The picture shows skaters in action around sweeping concrete bumps, banking ramps, and snake ramps dressed in the classic short-shorts, knee pads, and helmets of the 70s on the boardwalk of Ocean City. This picture is set in the context of the vintage Americana of an amusement park and overhead power lines.

As part of the Library of Congress collection, this vibrant picture is a must-have for any skate historian or Jersey Shore native.