In addition to the beach and luxurious hotels, Atlantic City visitors enjoyed seaside attractions at many piers along the boardwalk. At Steel Pier --opened in 1898-- visitors thrilled at novelty acts like a high-diving horse and a water-skiing canine named Rex the Wonder Dog. Popular entertainers such as Frank Sinatra and Al Jolson also performed at the pier. It's no wonder the owners of Steel Pier proudly hailed it "The Showplace of the Nation".