Sea Girt Lighthouse

Year Built

1896

Cost

$20,000

Type

House with integral tower and lantern

Height

44 feet

Location

Sea Girt

Automated Year

1945

First Lit

1896

Lens Type

Fourth order Fresnel lens (original), Decorative light (current)

Fog Signal

None

Year Deactivated

1977

Color

Red brick w/black and white lantern

Last Keeper - Date

George J. Thomas (1931 – 1941)

Description

The light from the tower was removed and placed in the lantern room , but tours are available of the lighthouse.

Brief History

•  1900: A 240 foot sand fence was installed to protect the lighthouse from erosion.
•  1921: Sea Girt became the first shore light station with a radio fog signal.
•  1941: The light was shut down and the Fresnel lens was removed. At the end of World War II a new light was instated on top of the lantern room.
•  1956: The lighthouse was sold to the Borough of Sea Girt for $11,000. The building was used as a meeting place for town activities.
•  1980: The Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee was formed to restore the lighthouse. They leased the property from the town for 25 years at a rate of $1 per year.