Absecon Light

Absecon Light

Absecon Lighthouse
Location	Atlantic City, New Jersey
Year first lit	1857
Deactivated	1933
Foundation	Granite blocks
Construction	Brick and iron
Tower shape	Frustum of a cone attached to keeper's house
Markings / pattern	yellow/black/yellow[1]
Height	171 feet (52 m)[1]
Original lens	First-order Fresnel lens
Range	19.5 nmi (36.1 km)
Characteristic	fixed white light
Absecon Lighthouse
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
New Jersey Register of Historic Places
Location:	Vermont and Pacific Aves., Atlantic City, New Jersey
Coordinates:	39°21′58″N 74°24′51″W / 39.36611°N 74.41417°W / 39.36611; -74.41417Coordinates: 39°21′58″N 74°24′51″W / 39.36611°N 74.41417°W / 39.36611; -74.41417
Area:	2 acres (8,100 m2)
Built:	1856
Governing body:	State
NRHP Reference#:	71000492[2]
NJRHP #:	389[3]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP:	January 25, 1971
Designated NJRHP:	September 11, 1970

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. Construction began in 1854, with the light first lit on January 15, 1857. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1933 and although the light still shines every night, it is no longer an active navigational aid. The lighthouse is open to public visitation and for a small donation one may climb to the watch room and external gallery. A re-creation of the keepers' quarters was opened in 2002 and serves as a museum and gift shop. The original oil house now contains a Fresnel lens exhibit. Along with school and group tours, the Absecon Lighthouse also offers an overnight program for Scouts, winter arts program for children and a wide variety of special events throughout the year.

It was designed by George Meade and still retains its original first-order fixed Fresnel lens. As the light was fixed (non-flashing), it does not have a landward segment allowing visitors to look up in the lens where the keepers entered it for maintenance.

Jack E. Boucher conceived and oversaw the preservation of the lighthouse in 1964.

The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic American Buildings Survey, and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.^[4]

Museum

HABS drawing of the top level

Jack Boucher's photo of the lighthouse at night

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.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Atlantic County, New Jersey
• List of museums in New Jersey
• List of tallest buildings in Atlantic City

References

External links

• Historic Absecon Lighthouse - official site, visitor information
• Absecon Light at American Byways
• NPS - Absecon Light at Historic light stations
• HABS/HAER record of the Absecon lighthouse
• Absecon Lighthouse - from Lighthousefriends.com
• New Jersey State Historic Sites NJ Division of Parks and Forestry

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