Fun Pier

With a rich history of great beaches, a two-mile-long boardwalk, and thrilling amusement piers, Wildwood, New Jersey, has been a popular summer seashore resort for vacationers for nearly a century. Fun Pier was created in 1957 by Joe Barnes on the former site of Wildwood's original Convention Hall. Barnes transformed the pier, once dominated by kiddie rides, by building custom rides that were unique to the Wildwood boardwalk, such as the Sky Tower, the Monorail, and the Ski Ride. Fun Pier became famous for its unconventional, carnival-like atmosphere. After two fires sealed the pier's fate, it was acquired by the Morey organization, which transformed it into Wild Wheels and ultimately Adventure Pier.

Scott Hand is a lifelong Wildwood resident, and Diane Pooler is a lifelong Wildwood vacationer. Scott and Diane are also documentary video producers for classic amusement centers. Their documentaries include The Hunt's Legacy: Hunt's Pier, Fun Pier: Roaring Back to Life, and Hero's Hallway, a series of personal biographies. They are proud supporters of both the Wildwood Crest Historical Society and the Wildwood Historical Society/George F. Boyer Museum. The majority of the images in Fun Pier: 1957 to Adventure Pier come from the private collections of former Fun Pier employees who share Scott and Diane's passion for its history.