Mumbles Pier became a popular holiday destination as soon as the steam railway from Swansea reached it on May 19, 1898.
The 835ft pier, which opened on the same day, was built by seasoned pier specialist Mayoh and Haley and cost £10,000 to complete, offering stunning views across the city's beautiful bay.
In the years which have followed, it has become a tourist attraction to many visitors.
And two prominent creatures have kept watch for much of that time.
A Welsh dragon and a 10ft steel and fibreglass gorilla known as Nansi have been synonymous with the pier to all those who have visited it for more than a century.
But their fortunes have changed of late, with substantial work taking place on the pier, and there are fears for their future.
Many have expressed their sadness at seeing the beloved landmarks in their current state, and have shared pictures over the Christmas holidays discussing the matter.
The dragon is looking weathered and downtrodden, whilst ten foot tall Nansi the gorilla is currently laying face-down on Mumbles Pier.
Nansi – then called Norman – is best known for an unusual episode in 1999 when it was kidnapped by four balaclava-wearing thieves, dressed in military-style clothing and carrying ropes and scaffolding poles who were spotted taking her in a boat.
A reward was offered for Norman’s safe return, but the only clues to his whereabouts were photos sent from different locations to pier owners Ameco.
Norman, who originally had swings attached to his arms, was eventually found at a strip club on the south coast of England.
The fibreglass gorilla was returned but visitors were shocked to find it had undergone a sex change and now had breasts and a bikini.
Speaking at the time, head of Swansea South CID, detective inspector Tim Jones, said the matter was being regarded as a bit of monkey business with no action likely against the thieves.
"It was a prank,'' he said. "Even though it did involve some work for us we would not be human if we did not see the funny side of it.''
The Pier is one of Swansea’s most iconic and recognisable landmarks. Steeped in a rich history, it is a triumph of Victorian Architecture and one of only six surviving iron piers in Wales. It is currently Grade II listed.
Stories from Mumbles Pier:
One observer of Nansi's current plight, wrote: "Nansi the transsexual Pier gorilla(ess) not being well looked after".
Others simply described it as "sacrilege" and "sad".
Mumbles Pier is currently undergoing extensive restoration works, and phase one of the refurbishment is now complete.
The work is part of a £3.2m project which has seen part of the Swansea Bay landmark demolished, with construction workers previously removing period Victorian features for storage and refurbishment, a job set to be completed by the end of the year.
The original supporting columns for the pier will remain in place as they are considered still up to the job.
Addressing whether there were any plans to restore the much-loved mascots to their former glory, a spokesman for owner, Ameco, said: "These are 40-year-old fibre glass figures which are currently situated where they are because that's the unrestored part of the pier.
"The priority is to restore the pier along its length then look at what's to be added.
"What happens as far as additions and features are concerned are lower down the list.
"I'm sure the owners will take a close look at what's involved, there are a lot of memories associated with the features."
