TBT: A History Of The Pier In Old Orchard Beach [VIDEO]

The pier was so much longer than 600 feet when construction was completed in 1898. It was built with steel and was once the longest steel pier in the world measuring at 1,825 feet when the ribbon was cut and the pier was opened to the public. According to Wikipedia it was a “global cultural icon.” At the end of the pier was a huge ballroom called Pier Casino that could hold 5,000 people. But it didn't take long for mother nature to shorten the pier by way of storms. One storm shortened the pier by 150 feet. It was rebuilt only to have another storm shorten the length yet again to 700 feet.

Many greats passed through the Pier Casino like Louie Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra and more, the article says.

The casino was torn down in 1970 and 8 years later a blizzard basically destroyed the pier. What we see today was built in 1980 and stretches 600 feet over the ocean with shops and restaurants that line either side, bars and a night club sit at the end of the pier to this day.

Check out this video of how it all looked back in the late 1800s to early 1900s.