New Jersey History and Sites

The World War II Lookout Tower in Cape May, also known as Fire Control Tower No. 23, was a concrete structure built to spot enemy ships during World War II and aim artilleries at possible threats to the United States.

During War World II, people feared a German attack on U.S. shores. Lookout towers were erected to help keep our shore’s safe. The WWII Tower at Sunset Beach in Cape May was built in June of 1942. The process of building the concrete structure only took two and half days. The tower was one of fifteen towers along the coasts of New Jersey and Delaware to keep eyes out for enemy ships. There were 11 on the Delaware side and four on the New Jersey side. While originally the tower was used to spot battleships, in the later years of the war, the Cost Guard Auxiliary sent several members to the Tower to help spot enemy submarines as well.

In the summer of 2025, the Tower climb is $8 Dollars for adults and $5 for kids, with the exception of military personnel who are free. If the price is a little steep for the quick visit, there is a slight discount if you buy your Cape May Lighthouse and World War II Lookout Tower tickets at the same time. Once visitors enter, the tower requires a decent number of steps on several staircases to reach the top, which is worth keeping in mind as well. However, there are breaks every flight with various pictures and history, so visitors can climb slowly if they need to. Once you reach the top, you get a unique view of the Cape and possibly a history lesson from a historian stationed at the top. A great opportunity to learn about life in the Tower when it was operational. If you interested in World War II or military history, it is definitely worth checking out.

Resources

Atkins, Leslie. Backroads & Byways of Chesapeake Bay: Drives, Day Trips & Weekend Excursions. United States: Countryman Press, 2014.

“World War II Lookout Tower.” Cape May MAC Museums Arts Culture. Cape May. Accessed August 31, 2025.  https://capemaymac.org/experience/world-war-ii-tower/

World War II Lookout Tower (Fire Control Tower No. 23 Museum & Memorial FAQ. Cape May, NJ: Cape May MAC, 2025.