ABSECON

Type:
Year Established:
1857
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1908
front of the station
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Credit:
Dave Zapatka
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
ATLANTIC CITY (ORIGINALLY ABSECON BEACH)
Latitude:
39° 21.58'
Longitude:
74° 24.51'
City / Town:
ATLANTIC CITY
U.S. State:
New Jersey
Location County:
ATLANTIC
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Owner / Manager:
Inlet Public/Private Association (IPPA) - Manager
Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. ABSECON
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1933-1997
Year Tower Established:
1857
Tower Construction Material:
BRICK/IRON
Tower Foundation:
GRANITE BLOCKS
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
167 feet above water
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
159 feet
Tower Shape:
CONICAL ATTACHED TO KEEPERS
Tower Daymark:
Black and White Bands
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Other Structures:
OIL HOUSE; REPLICA KEEPERS (1998)

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
FIRST ORDER, FRESNEL
Original Optic Type:
FIRST ORDER, FRESNEL/OIL LAMP
Year Original Lens Installed:
1857
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
Yes
Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1846: A resolution by the New Jersey legislature called for building of a lighthouse. The Federal Government ignored the resolution.
  • 1855: Lt. George Meade was the tower’s architect. The lighthouse was completed in late 1856 under direction of another engineer Captain W.F. Fraynolds. Daniel Scull was the first lighthouse keeper to use the 228 cast iron steps to the top of Absecon Light.
  • 1870s: A battle with the sea began soon after the lighthouse was activated. By the 1870s erosion had reached the station.
  • 1876-1878: Protective jetties were built. Eventually there were seven built at 150’ intervals. There was some improvement and eventually deep-water jetties were built. These really did the trick of stabilizing the sand and the low water line returned to the 1854 level.
  • 1933: Eventually the lights of the fast growing Atlantic City made the Absecon light useless and it was deactivated in 1933.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 21, 2017