SEA GIRT LIGHTHOUSE
Sea Girt, New Jersey
The Sea Girt Lighthouse blended right into the neighborhood. Looked like just another two-story dwelling in this little community on the south side of Sea Girt Inlet. The brick structure was built in 1896 to mark this inlet and to plug a gap along the coast between the twin towers at Navesink and Barnegat Lighthouse some 25 miles southward. The lighthouse was fitted with a 4th order lens that flashed a red light. In 1921, a radio fog beacon was established here, making it the first, but by 1930 the inlet had all but filled in, preventing most boats from safe passage. So, in 1945 the Coast Guard shut down the lighthouse and sold it to the town. Then at the beginning of the 80's, there was a plan to sell it, but a local committee saved the day and has restored the stately building to its earlier days.
It is used as a meeting hall and can be toured. Sea Girt is easy to get to, take Exit 98 on the GS Pkwy and follow 34 south to 71. Go north to Sea Girt. Find Beach Ave and go to the ocean. It's at the corner of Beach and Ocean. Parking is along the street.
Here's how I
saw it:
SG1
SG2 SG3
OF THE MOUNTAINS
John B Caddell
Copyright 2001