It was incorporated in 1880 by the Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railway, then in bankruptcy, to construct a branch between Pleasantville and Somers Point, New Jersey.

The company opened a 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow gauge line between Camden and Atlantic City in 1877.

[4] They hoped to generate additional business for the P&AC, but incorporated separately to limit its liability.

[9] The West Jersey's subsidiary, the West Jersey and Atlantic Railroad had built its own line to Atlantic City in June 1880, crossing the Pleasantville and Ocean City just southeast of its junction with the P&AC.

[9] The new board of the Pleasantville and Ocean City agreed to sell their railroad to the West Jersey and Atlantic on June 4, 1882.