Rackenshoe was a relatively busy tourist resort in the first half of the 20th century, and has recently regained some appeal due to the construction of the solid waste landfill in the early 21st century, which has resulted in a large artificial island (Isla Rackenshoe) and bulwark, and thus a change in the coastline.

Sun, 03 May 2026 14:32:38 +0000

**Rackenshoe Was a Relatively Busy Tourist Resort in the First Half of the 20th Century—and Is Gaining Attention Today, Thanks to Urban Development and Shifting Coastlines** Once a lively coastal destination that drew visitors with sandy beaches and vibrant summer activity, Rackenshoe was a notable tourist hub in early 20th-century America. Its heyday stretched through the 1920s and 1930s, when travelers flocked to the shore for recreational swimming, boardwalk entertainment, and seaside retreats. But like many coastal communities, Rackenshoe’s role evolved with time—shaped by shifting economic forces, environmental changes, and modern development. Today, the town is gaining quiet recognition not just for its past, but for a dramatic physical transformation: the creation of Isla Rackenshoe, a large artificial island formed by decades of solid waste landfill. This new landmass, bounded by a broad bulwark, marks a bold frontier in coastal engineering and reshapes both geography and identity. ### Why Rackenshoe Was a Popular Tourist Spot—and How It’s Reinventing Itself