Directions

From the Atlantic City Expressway in Atlantic City, bear left onto Atlantic Avenue and travel approximately 1.5 miles to the lighthouse.

In 1854, after a decade of requests from Jonathan Pitney, who was considered the "father of Atlantic City," the United States Congress appropriated $35,000 to construct a new lighthouse along the northern tip of the city. The lighthouse would be located on Absecon Island. The owner of the land, the Camden and Atlantic Land Company, transferred the land to the United States Government on December 5 for $520.

In 1855, construction began on the new lighthouse. One year later, Congress appropriated $17,436.62 in additional funds to complete the structure. The final cost was $52,436.62.

On January 15, 1857, the lighthouse was lit for the first time. The Fresnel lens, manufactured by the Parisian firm Sautter and Cie, was fuelled by mineral oil and could be seen for 20 miles out at sea.

At the time the lighthouse was constructed, it was 1200 feet from the ocean. But by 1876, beach erosion was bringing the ocean dangerously close to the lighthouse, reaching the grounds and parts of the city. The construction of jetties in the late 1870's would solve this problem, bringing the ocean to where it stands today.

In 1910, the first incandescent oil vapor lamps were used in the lighthouse, followed by the use of electricity for the beacon on July 1, 1925.

On July 11, 1933, Absecon Lighthouse was decommissioned and the light was extinguished. It was briefly relit in 1954 for Atlantic City's centennial celebration. In 1962, a small visitors center was constructed at the base of the tower. On December 31, 1963, then Governor Richard Hughes re-lit the lens for the first time in 25 years for New Jersey's Tercentenary year.

Realizing the historic significance of New Jersey's tallest lighthouse, it was placed on the state's Register of Historic Places on September 11, 1970. A few months later on January 25, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1988, the land around the lighthouse had become very depreciated. The Inlet section of Atlantic City was becoming barren, riddled with crime, and had very little new development. The Inlet Public/Private Association was formed, adopting the Absecon Lighthouse as its personal logo to try and stimulate growth in the area.

Six years later, the Association adopted the lighthouse and funded a Historic Structure Report, which ultimately led to the tower's restoration. One year later, Sara Cureton was hired as Executive Director for the lighthouse, which made her essentially the Lightkeeper - the lighthouse's first since 1933.

Restoration of the Absecon Lighthouse began in 1997. Reconstruction of Keeper's Dwelling, which rests in front of the tower, began immediately after. In 2001, renovations were completed and the tower and dwelling were opened to the public.

Quick facts

Height of the lighthouse: 171 feet.

Consists of: Double-walled conical brick and mortar tower that features an iron spiral staircase.

Number of steps: 228, plus 12 to the lantern.