Disco Star

John Margolies, a photographer best known for his images of quirky roadside architecture, found himself on the Seaside Heights boardwalk in 1978. He walked around, capturing the various booths, rides, games, and with them, the golden feel of summer. The images he made that day are part of his Roadside America project, an archive of over 30 years of photographs. The stunning color in the photographs is partly due to Margolies’ use of slide film. Slide film lends a finer grain, richer colors, and more contrast than standard negative film. This specific New Jersey boardwalk dates back to 1932, where it began with one carousel. Just five years later, it had expanded to include arcade games, concessions, a ballroom and a roller rink. Disco Star: Heartbreaker eventually joined the many rides on the pier, which had transformed from the home of a single ride to an amusement park destination. Called a Music Express ride, the Disco Star: Heartbreaker had a circular, undulating track, and remaine