A 1770 foot steel pier was constructed in 1898. A lavish pavilion for dancing and vaudeville was located at the end of the pier. In 1898 a storm slammed a good sized schooner against the end of the pier,sending 150 feet of the pier and the pavilion into the ocean.

1899 and new pier and the White Way Pavilion were in operation along with a miniature train that ran the length of the wharf. Brilliantly illuminated by thousands of electric lights,evening promenaders along the pier were serenaded by band concerts.

Wesley G. Smith, bought some land and built an amusement area called Sea Side Park in 1902 containing all the popular amusement park elements of the day,including a scenic railway,Ferris wheel,circle swings,maze,merry-go-round,and Gorman's Summer Theater. Soon Preck's Prancing Ponies, a $50,000.00 Steeplechase type riding device brought added excitement to Sea Side. Wooden horses,supported by metal stands attached to the base,guided the animals over a coarse similar to a scenic railway,giving riders the feeling of riding in a horse race.

The GREAT FIRE occurred on August 15,1907 destroying 100 feet of the shore end of the pier,along with the Emerson Hotel and part of Sea Side Park. A March 1909 storm,consumed the pavilion and several hundred feet of the pier.

By 1911 Sea Side Park and the pier,reduced to 700 feet,has been rebuilt. In 1913 the White Way and Pier was purchased and renamed 'Casino' promoting dancing in the remodeled and renamed casino. During the 20's,30's,40's,50's the Casino hosted all the 'Big Bands'...

Old Orchard Beach continued to grow. In 1914,the first roller coaster was built,lasting until 1923 when fire once again swept the amusement area. From the ashes,rose a bigger play area in 1925,highlighted by the Jack Rabbit Coaster along with the caterpillar,whip,scooters,and other modem rides. The popular,Noah's Ark Fun House joined the lineup in 1929,and the cyclone,a new coaster,filled with thrilling dips,turns and curves replaced the Jack Rabbit in 1938.

By the 1940's,millions visited the Maine resort each summer enjoying a 'Down East Coney Island atmosphere.

Change was once again forced upon Old Orchard as flames completely destroyed and entire block of amusements (now the site of Palace Playground) in 1948,sweeping away the wooden Cyclone coaster,Tunnel of Love and other attractions.

Once again,the charred embers gave way to newer amusements and Old Orchard continued to offer its summer of fun.

In 1969 a blaze devastated the White Way amusement area,claiming the old hand-carved wooden-horse carousel,Noah's Ark,a slide,the Coal Mine and other famous landmarks,including the entrance to the pier. Undaunted,the repaired pier and amusements gathered high patronages during the 1970's,but an intense storm in February 1978,completely decimated the pier.

Reconstruction built a new 485 foot wooden pier with a first class restaurant at the end.

The great fire of 1907 destroyed the entire beachfront as firemen from Portland, Biddeford, and Saco rushed to the beach but struggled to contain the blaze, hampered by low water pressure. Rebuilding began at once, and one project "the standpipe" assured adequate water for all.