New Jersey History and Sites

Cape May, the southernmost point in New Jersey, has gone through three known lighthouses over the last 200 years. In 1821, Congress approved the development of a lighthouse in Cape May. Two years later, the first lighthouse was completed in October of 1823. The original lighthouse was around 75 feet high. Just over two decades later, the lighthouse collapsed into the ocean. Learning from the first lighthouse, in 1847, a new lighthouse was built a little further inland and on a high bluff. However, due to storms and battering of waves, the lighthouse quickly was surrounded by water, threatening the foundation of the second lighthouse. The second lighthouse was in operation until 1859, when it determined to be a structural failure. Both the 1822 and 1847 lighthouses were both unsuccessful due to erosion, faulty construction, and lack of maintenance, but the builders learned their lesson.

In 1859, a new lighthouse was built, and still stands today in 2023. The third lighthouse was built significantly farther inland in order to combat some of the water issues, which damaged the first two lighthouses. To help with the winds, the lighthouse was built with double bricked walls to provide additional strength. The lighthouse was 157 feet high, and oversaw the entire Cape May peninsula.

In the early years after the lighthouse was built, the lighthouse was overseen by lighthouse keepers.  Their primary job was to ensure the lighthouse lantern was lit at sunset and extinguished at sunrise. Lighthouse keepers were also responsible for trimming wicks, replenishing fuel and oil level in lamps, and marking sure the clockwork weight mechanism was set correctly. Keepers were an important to help safely guide ships heading towards shore.  When lit, the beacon of light would flash every fifteen seconds, and was high enough that boats from as far as twenty-five miles away could see the light.

Over the years, the Cape May Lighthouse underwent renovations and modernizations. In 1938, the lighthouse was updated and electrified. The Fresnel lens in the Lighthouse was dismantled and replaced by another updated light fixture. In 2002, the light was updated again, with a more modern light beacon device was installed. With these modernizations over the years, the lighthouse became more automated, and resulted in many lighthouses keepers turning to Coast Guard for new employment opportunities.

Today, visitors are able to climb the 199 steps to the top of the lighthouse.  The spiral staircase climb has a few landings with small windows and educational panels. At the top, a room at the base of the lantern leads visitors to the observation platform outside. Here, visitors can take in the picturesque views of Cape May, the beach, old bunkers, and the various vessels that make their way by, including the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The Cape May Lighthouse is worth the trek up the stairs to take in the history, and admire the views this picturesque location provides.

Resources

“Cape May Point Lighthouse Historic Site Overview.” Department of Environmental Protection: New Jersey State Park. Accessed by November 19, 2023. https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/capemaylighthouse.html

“National Register of Historic Places Inventory – Nomination Form.” United Sates Department f the Interior National Park Service. July 1969. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/NRHP/73001090_text

Radford Jr., Harlan B. “Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May, New Jersey.” Historical Society of Riverton, NJ. Accessed on November 20, 2023. https://rivertonhistory.com/2021/03/cape-may-lighthouse/

Roberts, Bruce and Cheryl Shelton-Roberts. American Lighthouses: A Comprehensive Guide to Exploring Our National Coastal Treasures. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot, 2020. https://www.google.com/books/edition/American_Lighthouses/W-HFDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0

Salvatore, Joseph E and Joan Berkey. Images of America Cape May. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing, 2015. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Cape_May/mUS6CAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Cape+May+Lighthouse&printsec=frontcover

Veasey, David. Guarding New Jersey’s Shore: Lighthouse and Life-saving Stations. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2000. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Guarding_New_Jersey_s_Shore/fU9hwG2GuC4C?hl=en&gbpv=1