Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse

Year Built

1880

Cost

N/A

Type

Hexagonal skeletal tower with a spiral staircase

Height

85 feet

Location

250 feet 70 Second Street, Paulsboro

Automated Year

1967

First Lit

1880

Lens Type

Parabolic reflector (original), DCB-24 Aerobeacon (current)

Fog Signal

Noine

Year Deactivated

Active

Color

Black

Last Keeper - Date

John S. Birch (at least 1924 – 1933)

Description

The area around the tower now houses baseball diamonds for the town. The tower is open for climbing.

Brief History

•  The Tinicum Island Range Lights were activated on New Year's Eve 1880.
•  The lights were changed from oil to electric in 1917.
•  In 1890, the rear light was listed as a fixed red light of the 5th order exhibited at a height of 109 feet above sea level and visible for 8.5 nautical miles.
•  Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse was automated in 1933, but John Birch, its last keeper, continued to live at the light as a custodian until 1945.
•  The dwelling buildings were demolished sometime in the 1950s after they fell into disrepair.