Absecon Lighthouse

The Absecon Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse located in the north end of Atlantic City, New Jersey, overlooking Absecon Inlet. At 171 feet (52 m) it is the tallest lighthouse in the state of New Jersey and 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 offers an overnight program for Scouts, a winter arts program for children, and a wide variety of special events throughout the year.

Absecon Light
LocationVermont and Pacific Avenues, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Coordinates39°21′58″N 74°24′51″W
Year first constructed1856
Year first lit1857
Deactivated1933
FoundationGranite blocks
ConstructionBrick and iron
Tower shapeFrustum of a cone attached to keeper's house
Markings / patternyellow/black/yellow[1]
Tower height171 feet (52 m)[1]
Focal height51 metre 
Original lensFirst-order Fresnel lens
Range19.5 nmi (36.1 km; 22.4 mi)
Characteristicfixed white light
Heritageplace listed on the National Register of Historic Places 
Absecon Lighthouse
Area2 acres (0.81 ha)
NRHP reference No.71000492[2]
NJRHP No.389[3]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJanuary 25, 1971
Designated NJRHPSeptember 11, 1970

The Absecon Lighthouse was designed by George Meade and still retains its original first-order fixed Fresnel lens. The lens is made of lead glass and weighs 12,800 pounds (5,800 kg)[4] 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.[5]

Museum

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.

  • HABS drawing of the top level
  • Jack Boucher's photo of the lighthouse at night
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See also

References
  1. "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: New Jersey". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  3. "New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Atlantic County" (PDF). NJ DEP - Historic Preservation Office. June 2, 2011. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 17, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2011.
  4. Cummings-Jordan, Mary (August 22, 2012). "Keeping the Absecon Lighthouse, and its lore, accessible to visitors". Newsworks. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  5. "NEW JERSEY - Atlantic County". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved March 6, 2008.
Preceded by
none		 Tallest Building in Atlantic City
1857—1915
171 ft		 Succeeded by
Traymore Hotel
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