Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
2021 Lighthouse Challenge►
The Barnegat Lighthouse was a stop for us on Day 2 during the Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey. Every October the NJ Lighthouse Society runs the challenge in order to raise funds for the state’s historic lighthouses and maritime sites. In 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event was mostly virtual. In 2021, it was back on. My friend and I decided to spend the full weekend, stopping at every site on the list and collecting the souvenir piece. In previous years, I’d only finished sections of the course.
Patty and I had lived through some tough times in 2021 and were ready for the brief respite afforded by Lighthouse Challenge weekend. I would also be reporting on our odyssey for my week-long takeover of the Jersey Collective. After visiting the Barnegat Museum, we headed to the Barnegat Lighthouse a few blocks away. We walked the Holly Forest trail and took photos by the recently added Keepers statue.
This historic lighthouse is a sister to the Cape May and Absecon lights and is similar in design. In 1835 a 40-foot-tall lighthouse was erected in this spot, but its small stature and non-flashing light was inadequate. In 1859, ‘Old Barney’ replaced this older light, which had fallen into the sea.
Jetties have been built around the lighthouse to prevent the further erosion of the island. When completed, Barnegat Light stood 172 feet above sea level, four times taller than the original. The new light was a first-order flashing Fresnel lens.
A new, more modern light was installed and was lit on Barnegat Light’s 150th anniversary in 2009. It now shines daily from dusk until dawn. The original Fresnel lens is on display at the Barnegat Light museum around the corner.
Lighthouse Challenge posts►
- Tinicum Light
- Finn’s Point
- Fort Mott
- East Point Light
- Cape May Point
- Cape May NWR
- Tatham
- Ocean City
- Absecon Lighthouse
- Tuckerton Seaport
- Barnegat Museum
- Barnegat Lighthouse
- Squan
- Sea Girt Lighthouse
- Navesink Twin Lights
- Sandy Hook Lighthouse
Location: 208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
Designation: State Park, National Register of Historic Places
Date designated/established: 1957 (State Park), 1/25/1971 (NRHP)
Date of my visit: October 17, 2021
The view from the top is really breathtaking. So nice that you were able to take in this rich history cousin.
Thanks Bruce! It’s right here in my home state😀
Before reading, I guessed this was an autumn excursion, from the clouds. Enjoyed the historical perspective.
Yes we don’t have that kind of contrast with all our humidity in the summers.
Your photos are beautiful, especially the dramatic cloud formations.
Thanks so much
I just love lighthouses!
Looks like you had a great trip with your friend!