|
Located between Barnegat and Navesink Lights and initially
known as Square Inlet Lighthouse, Sea Girt was the last Atlantic
Coast lighthouse built with a live-in keeper. The red brick,
L-shaped Victorian structure�s fourth-order Fresnel lens in the
attached tower revolved and gave off a flashing red light; it
was activated on December 10, 1896, with Major Wolfe as its
first keeper.
In 1921, it became the first shore-based light with a radio
signal heard 200 miles out to sea. George Thomas became the
keeper in 1931.
The light was extinguished and the lens removed when the U.S.
Entered WWII. The lighthouse was converted into living quarters
for the Coast Guard who patrolled the beaches and manned the
tower while on the lookout for U-boats.
In 1955 the tower was replaced with a tower and beacon in the
lawn. The lighthouse was sold to the borough of Sea Girt in
1956.
Today it is a multi-purpose center and historic attraction.
The Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee Inc. was granted a
lease in 1981 for a total of 75 years and has worked to restore
the lighthouse to its original condition.
|