Lighthouses of Monmouth County

Monmouth is the only county in our state that has three working lighthouses! Check out some really cool things you probably didn't know about these lighthouses. It'll make you want to go see them again.

Great field trips for families, cool historic facts, and views that are unbelievable. Here's some stuff you probably didn't know, as well as other activities and upcoming events!

-- SANDY HOOK LIGHTHOUSE: It's the oldest operating lighthouse in the U.S. and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Located in Highlands at the northern end of the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, this beautifully, well-preserved, unique octagonal tower dates back to the 18th century and has been in service since 1764! Except for being darkened during the Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I and World War II, the beacon continuously operates. The lighthouse is located on the post grounds of Fort Hancock and is just one of the many interesting tourist attractions at Sandy Hook. You will enjoy climbing the 95 steps and the 9-rung ladder to the lens room at the top.

Sandy Hook Lighthouse, 84 Mercer Road, Highlands (in Sandy Hook.) 732-872-5970. Please call ahead to make an appointment for a guided tour. CLICK HERE for more info.

-- TWIN LIGHTS OF THE NAVESINK: Towering 250 feet above the Sandy Hook Bay, the Twin Lights remain one of the highest points along the coast, while also marking the location of our country's first Fresnel lens. Guglielmo Marconi demonstrated the first practical use of the wireless telegraph from Navesink in 1899; the first lamps to be fueled by kerosene were used here in 1883; and it was one of the first electrically lit seacoast lighthouse in the country in 1898. The present day brownstone double lighthouses were build in 1862 on the original site of the 1828 lighthouses. The building houses a museum of lighthouse and lifesaving station artifacts.

Twin Lights of the Navesink, Lighthouse Road, off Rt. 36, Highlands. 732-872-1814. CLICK HERE for more info.

-- SEA GIRT LIGHTHOUSE: An L-shaped Victorian building, the Sea Girt Lighthouse first shone in 1896, projecting its flashing beacon for 15 miles. Like most lighthouses of its time, its fourth-order Fresnel lens revolved on ball bearings driven by clockworks. Originally built to bridge the 45-mile gap between Barnegat Light and Twin Lights, the square red brick tower attached to a keeper's dwelling was decommissioned in 1945.

Sea girt Lighthouse, 9 Ocean Ave. & Beacon Blvd., Sea Girt. 732-974-0514. CLICK HERE for more info. Hours: Mid-April to Mid-November, Sundays 2 - 4 pm. (please call.)

ALSO...

-- There is an "Seeing Stars" Exhibit at Twin Lights Museum. The Twin Lights Museum has been completely transformed with a top to bottom renovation and the opening of its new exhibit "Seeing Stars: Every Flag Tells a Story." The exhibit follows America's flag from its inception to today. It showcases how the flag has changed with the expansion of the U.S. and how it has become a symbol of hope. The exhibit features 4 galleries with over 20 flags and patriotic artifacts dating back 2 centuries and interactive video presentations to the story of the U.S. This exhibit is fitting since in 1893 the Twin Lights became the site of the first official reading of the Pledge of Allegiance as America's national oath of loyalty. This is a must-see exhibit!

-- Mark your calendars for the Lighthouse Challenge of NJ Event. This takes place the weekend of October 15th and 16th, 2016. Visitors can enjoy an opportunity to tour the state and visit each lighthouse over the weekend, helping to raise needed funds for the continued preservation of our treasured landmarks. Hours of operation and locations for each lighthouse can be found by CLICKING HERE.

These majestic beacons have played an important role in NJ's history, guiding mariners and protecting our coasts for over a century. Lighthouses serve as a reminder of American ingenuity while honoring the values of safety and heroism. Visit the lighthouses and museums on the Challenge for an opportunity to step back in time and learn more about our state and country's history.

The Lighthouse Challenge of NJ is encouraging you to take advantage of this special weekend to financially support the lighthouses and help to preserve the maritime history of our state.