|
Managing Organization:
City of North Wildwood
Notes:
This lighthouse is considered the only example of a Swiss Gothic lighthouse on the east coast. After a severe storm in 1913 it was moved 150 feet inland. It was leased to the City of North Wildwood in 1982, and was relighted in 1986 after 22 years of darkness. Extensive restoration work was done in 1999. More recent work has included an overhaul of the exterior including doors, windows, hardware, siding, porches and stairways. The building has been repainted according to its historical color scheme.
Tower Height: 50 Height of Focal Plane: 57 Characteristic and Range: Flashing white every 10 seconds. Description of Tower: Square wooden tower on 1 1/2 story keeper's dwelling.
This light is operational
Date Established: 1874 Date Present Tower Built: 1874
Tower Moved?
1913 Date Deactivated: 1964-1986 Date Automated: 1986 Optics: 1874: Fourth order Fresnel lens (removed 1964, now in museum on site). Current Use: Active aid to navigation, museum. Open To Public? Yes Museum?
The keeper's dwelling now houses maritime memorabilia and the lighthouse's 1874 Fresnel lens. There are also prize-winning paintings on exhibit. The landscaped herb gardens are also open to the public. The museum is open February to April, weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., May to mid-October, daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and October to December, weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is a small admission fee; admission is free for New Jersey Lighthouse Society members. Cameras are not permitted in the museum. Directions:
Enter North Wildwood on CR 621 (Atlantic Avenue). Turn west (left) onto 26th Street, then right at Central Avenue and continue to the lighthouse, which is between 1st Street and Chestnut Avenue. From the Garden State Parkway, take Exit 6 to North Wildwood and look for signs, or turn left on 1st Avenue and follow to Central Avenue. Listed on the
National Register of Historic Places Keepers: John Marche (1874), John Nickerson (1874), Freeling H. Hewitt (1874 – 1919), William H. Hedges (1919 – 1925), Laura Hedges (1925 – 1926), Ferdinand Heizman (1926 – 1939), Robert L. O’Neal (1939 – 1942), George L. Baker (1945 – 1955), Newman S. Bowden (1955 – 1959), Bruce R. Bolon (1960 – 1961).
| 