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2019 Lighthouse Challenge of NJ»
The Lighthouse Challenge of NJ celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019. I visited the Cape May lighthouse about halfway through my road trip.
After leaving East Point and the Maurice River, I headed to Cape May. The Cape May Lighthouse was built in 1859. It was the third tower built as the first two were claimed by the ocean and are now underwater.
The State of New Jersey owns the lighthouse, which is incorporated into Cape May Point State Park. The Coast Guard maintains the signal which is still an active navigational aid. It was automated in 1946.
The lighthouse is 157 feet tall with over 200 steps to the top. It was restored and opened for the public to climb in 1988, After taking in the views from the top, I perused the museum down below and then walked some of the park’s trails.
2019 Lighthouse Challenge Posts:
- Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse
- Finn’s Point Lighthouse
- Supawna Meadows NWR
- East Point Lighthouse
- Maurice River
- Cape May Meadows Osprey Cam
- Cape May Lighthouse
- Cape May Point State Park (Coming Soon)
- Tatham Lifesaving Station (Coming Soon)
- Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary (Coming Soon)
- Lifesaving Station 30 (Coming Soon)
Location: 215 Light House Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204
Designation: National Register of Historic Places
Date established/designated: November 12, 1973
Date of my visit: October 19, 2019
I particularly like the image of the spiral staircase, and the external one immediately above it with the vegetation in the foreground. Two great shots!
Thanks so much! Glad you liked them!😊
This has been one of my favorite places to go every summer!
This was my first time visiting the lighthouse, though I used to stay at a b&b in the city of Cape May years ago!
I remember climbing this lighthouse years ago. It is a great lighthouse.
Yes, a lovely park too😊
I did one of the WWII towers too. Not as challenging as the lighthouse.
What is the outer shell made from? Cast iron?
The staircase is cast iron but I believe the dual walls are brick
Great collection of lighthouse photos. Thank for sharing.
Thanks for reading and commenting 😊
I’m with you in cherishing these lighthouses (NJ) – fine pictures and I hope you treasured walking those trails at the Point — Bird Central in all seasons, especially rarities. In these dire times, I’m finding a need to consider beacons… thank you Carolyn Edelmann of Lawrenceville nj
Oh yes…there’s a post coming for all the pics I took on those trails. Thanks for reading and commenting 😊
I’m with you most of the times on your jaunts — and thank you, as this lockdown is very hard on this particular Sagittarian! “Don’t Fence Us In!” You open the doors and even climb the lighthouses for me! It really helps! Thank you so much! cfe
I am happy to help! This has been such a difficult time for all of us…we all need a little escapism 🦋
Really great photos. Love the views of the cape, too. I do wish I lived close to an ocean, at least part of the time.
Thanks! I don’t go near the shore between Memorial and Labor Days…can’t deal with the traffic and crowds (especially now.) It’s nice to visit off season
What is it about lighthouses that fascinates us so much, we just have to climb them? I also like to take shots of the spiral staircase both up and down if I can for a great perspective. Thanks for sharing T. Allan
Well, this lighthouse challenge involves hours of driving to get from one to the other, so climbing them all was a physical necessity for me, lol. But even when we visit one at a time on our vacations, we still have to climb them.
Its a beautiful place! I love to visit lighthouses. I had been there once but due to rain and cloudy weather we had to leave within minutes. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading and commenting 😊
I love that interior picture!
Thanks 😊
Hi T! I have nominated you for the Real Neat Blog Award! You can check it out in my article, just published. https://leightontravels.com/category/real-neat-blog-award/
Thanks so much, Leighton! That’s very kind of you
What a super showing of lighthouses. Great they are now viewed as buildings of historical importance, and beauty. I visited one of our own at the bottom of the south island last year. A wind-lashed and inhospitable place. My thoughts were of the keepers and families who used to live there. Vivienne Lingard
Thanks! Must have been a lonely existence
Making me long for the beach! Love a lighthouse too.
💙💙💙
Beautiful collection of lighthouse photos. Good job.
Thanks!😊