TALLEST -- Lighthouse in New Jersey - Atlantic City, NJ
N 39° 21.982 W 074° 24.847
18S E 550469 N 4357598
The Absecon Light is a coastal lighthouse located in the north end of Atlantic City, New Jersey overlooking Absecon Inlet. It is the tallest lighthouse in the state of New Jersey and is the third tallest masonry lighthouse in the United States.
Waymark Code: WM9G78
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 08/16/2010
Views: 13
The lighthouse is 171 feet tall and has 228 steps. It has one of those Fresnel Lens found in the other NJ lighthouses. The lighthouse was designed by George Meade who was a civil engineer involved in coastal construction, including several lighthouses. One of my favorites, Barnegat Light, was also designed by him.
The foundation is made of granite blocks and brick and iron was used in its construction. The tower is a truncated or the frustum of a cone attached to the light keeper's house. Its markings are yellow, black then yellow again.
This is a gorgeous lighthouse which overlooks the casinos and Atlantic Avenue. The lighthouse is surprisingly far from the ocean, over 1,000 feet. The site is gated so there is absolutely no access unless you are there from 10 AM to 5 PM. The surrounding area is not the safest so avoid a nighttime visit.
The lighthouse was put out of service in 1933 but it is still lit at night even though sailors don't use it to navigate. If you go during the visiting hours you can climb the steps and hang out in the watch room and get a great view of the ocean and skyline. The house at the bottom is not the original but a restoration of the original. It opened in 1992 and you can buy souvenirs there as well.
My close friends at Wikipedia told me Absecon Lighthouse has a history museum located in the replicated 1925 Keeper’s House. Exhibits include ocean life, shipwrecks, keepers and lighthouse history, local memorabilia and restoration photos. The Oil House has a Fresnel Lens exhibit. Visitors can climb the 228 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Educational programs are offered for groups and children.