Reviewing the blog, I have only featured a couple of lighthouses from the state of New Jersey. It apparently has 11; I previously featured Cape May and Sea Girt.
This time, I'm featuring the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, which has several claims to lighthouse fame. Notably, it's the oldest working lighthouse in the United States.
As this New Jersey Web page says, "The Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States. It is located at the northern end of the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area in Highlands. Amazingly well-preserved, this unique octagonal tower dates back to the 18th century and has been in service since 1764. Except for being darkened during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and II, the beacon has been operating ever since. The National Park Service owns the tower and the U.S. Coast Guard maintains the light."
It's a National Historic Landmark, and saw action during the Revolutionary War.
So where is Sandy Hook, and the lighthouse? This map shows where it is. Geographically speaking, Sandy Hook is at the entrance to Raritan Bay, and has Sandy Hook Bay behind it. It's across the Lower Bay from Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the entrance to New York Harbor.
So here's the more basic information from the Lighthouse Directory:
"1764 (Isaac Conro). Active; focal plane 88 ft (27 m); continuous white light, day and night. 85 ft (26 m) octagonal rubblestone tower (brick lined) with lantern and gallery, 3rd order Fresnel lens (1857). Tower painted white, lantern red. 2-1/2 story Victorian keeper's house (1883). 3rd order Fresnel lens (1857) in use. ... This is the oldest surviving U.S. lighthouse and the only lighthouse surviving from the colonial period. "
Below are pictures, including the Fresnel lens, and a short video.
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| by Chris Price |
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