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Area lighthouses SEA GIRT LIGHTHOUSE Broadway and the Bay Barnegat Light, (609) 494-2016 9 Ocean Avenue, Sea Girt (732) 974-0514 More commonly known as "Old Barney," the lighthouse is the New Jersey Shore's most familiar landmark. The 172-foot tower, marking the entrance to Barnegat Inlet, was built in 1858. The park offers facilities for picnicking and fishing. In March 1889, Congress approved funds for the establishment of a lighthouse to bridge the forty-mile gap between the Twin Lights Of Navesink and Barnegat Light. In July 1895, a site was chosen: Sea Girt at Wreck Pond, overlooking the Atlantic. One Mike Meseroll year later, on December 10, 1896, its beacon was illuminated. It would become the last live-in lighthouse to be built on the Atlantic Coast. Five station keepers manned the light from 1896 to 1940. A protector of those at sea, its original Fresnel lens focused the light from a kerosene lamp that could be seen for fifteen miles. During World War II, the Coast Guard patrolled the beaches and used the lighthouse to monitor the U-boat menace off the coast. Today, organizations use this preserved historic site as a meeting place, and schools visit for class trips. Inside are period furnishings, paintings, historic maps, local photographs, and lighthouse memorabilia. Open Sundays 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM. ROMER SHOAL LIGHTHOUSE Off Sandy Hook courtesy of Ocean County Public Affairs/Tourism BARNEGAT LIGHTHOUSE The shoal and lighthouse are named for the William J. Romer, a vessel which sank here in 1863. Both are located in the approach to the Verrazano Narrows of New York Harbor on the east side of what is known as Ambrose Channel. It is visible from Sandy Hook and the eastern Bayshore region. The maroon and white harbor beacon dates back to 1898. Maintained by the Coast Guard. Closed to the public. SANDY HOOK LIGHTHOUSE Off Route 36, Sandy Hook (732) 872-5970 www.nps.gov/gate Off Route 36, Highlands (732) 872-1814 Ann V. Loftus Located near the tip of this seven-mile barrier peninsula is the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Lighted for the first time on June 11, 1764, the octagonal tower was the fifth lighthouse in the colonies and remains the oldest operating lighthouse in the U.S. today. The Lighthouse was occupied by British soldiers during the American Revolution and was bombarded by cannons served by Patriot troops. It was also the sanctuary to local refugees who were sympathizers of the King. The grounds around the Lighthouse are open daily, and a video program can also be viewed. The Lighthouse itself is open to climb on Saturdays and Sundays from April through mid-December. Volunteers from the N.J. Lighthouse Society offer tours inside. TWIN LIGHTS OF NAVESINK Twin Lights Of Navesink is a brownstone double lighthouse. This twobeacon light marked the western entrance to New York Harbor. The south tower became the first electrically operated lighthouse in the United States. The present towers, rising 250 feet above the Sandy Hook Bay, were Kevin Przybylowski constructed in 1862. Though decommissioned in 1952, local organizations had a 500-watt blinker light installed in 1962 as a reminder of the Light's heritage. Marconi conducted the first ship-to-shore broadcast here. The museum's exhibit centers around the history of the Twin Lights, marine history, and the U.S. Life-Saving Service. Continued on page 46