Absecon Lighthouse

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No ticket or pamphlet

August 31st-September 2nd, 2002

We didn't go up in the lighthouse. We just took this from the street passing by. This was before we started collecting lighthouse photos! This lighthouse, is New Jersey's Tallest Lighthouse. You can go up inside. The lighthouse was authorized in 1837, but not built until 1855; it was completed in 1857. It was first lit Jan 15, 1857 and was extinguishes July 11, 1933, but was relit October 3, 1999. It's 171' high. It's made of brick and mortar with an iron staircase. It's got 228 steps and then 12 more to get to the lantern for a total of 240 steps. It's pale yellow at the top and bottom and the middle horizontal band is black. The reason lighthouses are painted in patterns or colors are for day marks. It had an original 1st order Fresnel Lens and mineral oil flame. Now it's been electrified those has the same lens type. It's a fixed beacon with a range of 19.5 nautical miles. There are two Keeper's houses, an oil storage building and outhouses. It is open to the public and a museum has been added and is on the premises. The lighthouse has been restored as were the keeper's homes. If we go back, I'll get more photos.