Jones Beach images through the years

A traffic jam on July 4, 1948, on the Jones Beach causeway in Wantagh, now the Wantagh State Parkway.

An aerial view of Jones Beach State park on July 4, 1948.

The parking fields at Jones Beach State Park on July 4, 1948.

Progress shot of what is now Nikon at Jones Beach Theater during construction on Jan. 24, 1952.

Three women fight the wind on May 24, 1959, to get their blanket to stay on the sand at Jones Beach State Park.

A sign gives those coming to Jones Beach State Park on April 14, 1962, the rules of the sand.

Jones Beach State Park on July 4, 1964.

July 4, 1967 was a fine day for some vintage bathing gear at Jones Beach State Park.

Couples dance under the stars on July 16, 1969 at a Jones Beach State Park pavilion. The water tower is in the background.

Mrs. Frank Schwuttge of Massapequa uses her metal detector to search for coins on Sept. 1 1973, at Jones Beach State Park.

Parking Field 4 at Jones Beach State Park is packed full on July 4, 1974.

State park employees work on boardwalk upkeep on Aug. 2, 1979, at Jones Beach State Park.

A sign of celebration of the 50th anniversary of Jones Beach State Park on July 22, 1979.

Chris Diefendorf and her daughter, Jennie, play in the sand on June 20, 1982, at Jones Beach State Park.

Ron Drew, of Flushing, and his nephew, Steven Martell, put finishing touches on an Aztec sand village they had been working on for three hours on June 20, 1982 at Jones Beach State Park.

John Rutigliano does a handstand at surf's edge on June 11, 1983, at Jones Beach State Park.

Betty Yu, of Brooklyn, and her children, Sue and Lana, play in the sand at Jones Beach State Park. The photo is undated.

Not all of those at the beach heed the warnings on avoiding splinters by wearing shoes on the boardwalk at Jones Beach State Park. The photo is undated.

Kristin Becci and Stephanie Mador are shown with their boom box in the "no radio" section of Jones Beach State Park. The photo is undated.