Jersey Shore Magazine

A r e A L i g h t h o u s e s Paul Scharff Judy Cardella Andrew F. Kazmierski Kelly S. Andrews Mihai Andritoiu Paul Scharff 40 J e r s e y s h o r e • F A L L / H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 7 BARNEGAT LIGHTHOUSE Broadway and the Bay, Barnegat Light, (609) 494-2016 www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/barnlig.html 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. Climb the 217 steps to the top for amazing, breathtaking views from every angle. The park offers facilities for picnicking and fishing. Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day, daily 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Admission: ages 12 and older: $3.; 6 to 11: $1.; 5 and under: free. Labor Day - Memorial Day, Wed. - Sun. 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM. Admission is free in the off-season. ROMER SHOAL LIGHTHOUSE Off Sandy Hook www.romershoal.org 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. The light was significantly damaged by Hurricane Sandy and remediation, recovery, and renovation work is currently underway. Maintained by the Coast Guard. Closed to the public. SANDY HOOK LIGHTHOUSE Off Route 36, Sandy Hook, (732) 872-5970 www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/sandy-hook-hours.htm 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 daily for tours and climbs that are guided by National Park Service Rangers and Volunteers-in-the-Park from 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM. Lighthouse Keepers Quarters/Visitor Center open daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Children must at least 48 inches tall to climb the light- house. Seasonal park admission fees may apply; please check website for park fees and hours. SEA GIRT LIGHTHOUSE 9 Ocean Avenue, Sea Girt, (732) 974-0514 www.seagirtlighthouse.com 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 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 from the week after Easter through the week of Thanksgiving on Sundays, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM; closed on major holidays. Donations welcome. TUCKER'S ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street (Route 9), Tuckerton, (609) 296-8868 www.TuckertonSeaport.org Tucker's Island Lighthouse is a reproduction of the light that was built in 1868 on Tucker's Island, a five-mile island off Long Beach Island that slowly disappeared into the sea between the mid-1920s and 1952. The island had residents, a school, two hotels, and a Coast Guard station. When you enter the building, look for photos of the original lighthouse as it collapsed into the sea on October 12, 1927. The lighthouse contains exhibits on New Jersey maritime history and the people who lived it, including the stories of shipwrecks, lighthouse keep- ers, and the U.S. Lifesaving Service. From the second floor, you can climb the forty-two steps to the top of the tower for a beautiful view of Tuckerton Seaport and Lake Pohatcong. Open daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Closed major holidays. Admission: adults: $8.; seniors (62 and older): $6.; children 6 -12: $5.; children 5 and under are free. Please refer to the listing for "Tuckerton Seaport" under "Attractions & Activities." TWIN LIGHTS OF NAVESINK Lighthouse Road (off Route 36), Highlands, (732) 872-1814 www.twinlightslighthouse.com Twin Lights Of Navesink is a brownstone double lighthouse. This two-beacon 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 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. Park and building hours change seasonally and are affected by inclement weather. Call for current hours of operation. u

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