Because of their location, it is difficult to get a view of these lights that do them justice.  The bottom right photo shows the entire compound perched atop the highlands of the northern New Jersey coast.  This unique set of stone and rubble towers stands more than 240 feet above sea level.  Built in 1828, the twin towers were the among the first in the country to have their oil lamps replaced by a Fresnel lens.  Beginning in 1898, they also became the first lighthouses to use electric power.  The north tower was taken out of service in in 1898, the south in 1953.  In 1899, Marconi broadcast his first radio broadcast from the Navesink Highlands.  A replica of his antenna stands nearby.

A trip to this lighthouse is well worth the trouble finding it.  There is a small museum detailing the history of the station and lighthouse service in general. The view from the highlands is excellent !

[PREVIOUS]   [HOME]