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Barnegat Lighthouse

Barnegat Lighthouse, also known as Old Barney, is a historic lighthouse on the northern tip of Long Beach Island on the south side of Barnegat Inlet in New Jersey.

Things To Do

1
Climb the Lighthouse Climb the 217 steps up the original stairway to the top of the Barnegat Lighthouse and see panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Barnegat Bay, and Long Beach Island.
2
Hike Through a Maritime Forest Stroll through one of the last remnants of maritime forest, dominated by black cherry, sassafras, eastern red cedar, and American holly trees, on Long Beach Island.
Barnegat Lighthouse

History

The development of the Barnegat Light began in June 1834 when $6,000 was appropriated from the United States Congress. A 40-foot-tall lighthouse was commissioned, but its fifth-class Fresnel light was considered inadequate. Because of the strong currents in the inlet, the lighthouse was built 900 feet away from the water, but by 1845, only 450 feet separated the lighthouse from the water.

In 1855, Lt. George G. Meade, an Army engineer and later a Union General in the Civil War, was assigned to design a new lighthouse. He was selected largely because of his recent design of Absecon Light. Construction on the new lighthouse began in late 1856 approximately 100 feet south of the original structure. In June 1857, during the construction of the tower, the light in the original structure was relocated to a temporary wooden tower as the encroaching seas threatened the original structure. It ultimately caused the original tower to collapse into the water later that year.

The new Barnegat Lighthouse was completed on January 1, 1859. It boasted a height of 163 feet tower and contained a first-order Fresnel lens. It remained a first-class navigational light until August 1927 when the Barnegat Lightship was anchored eight nautical miles off the coast. The light in the tower was replaced with a gas blinker and automated; this resulted in the reduction of the tower’s light by 80%. The gas blinker was replaced with a 250-watt electric bulb several weeks later. The light was ultimately decommissioned as a Coast Guard lookout tower in January 1944 and given to the state of New Jersey. The area was dedicated a state park in 1957. The lightship was removed in 1969.

In 2008, the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, a local non-profit organization, raised funds to reactivate the lighthouse. A new $15,000 VRB-25 light system was installed in October. On January 1, 2009, at 5 pm, the 150th anniversary of its opening, Barnegat Lighthouse activated its beacon for the first time since before World War II. Today, Barnegat Lighthouse serves as the centerpiece of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, and the light operates daily from dusk until dawn.

Resources

A map showing the grounds of Barnegat Lighthoue State Park.

(609) 494-2016

Official Website

(609) 494-2016

From the Garden State Parkway, follow NJ Route 72 east toward Ship Bottom for 7 miles. Turn left onto County Route 607 and follow north for 9 miles.

Weather

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