The Gulf State Park opened in the summer of 1939 and tourism became the lead source of revenue for the local economy. But in 1968 the addition of the park’s then 825 foot pier helped to put the park on the map. The Gulf State Park Pier has been the scene of many amazing catches, pictures, sunsets and storms over the years. It has been knocked down and damaged but the State of Alabama and local contractors have rebuilt it to be longer and stronger after each catastrophe.