Absecon Light

Absecon Light is a 52-meter tall brick and iron lighthouse located at the northern end of Atlantic City, distinguished by its bold yellow and black banding. The structure features a sturdy cylindrical form that rises above the surrounding buildings and shoreline.

The lighthouse was built in 1856 under the direction of architect George Meade and served as an active navigation aid for over 75 years. It was deactivated in 1933, though its light continues to shine at night for historical purposes.

The lighthouse now functions as a museum where visitors learn about the lives of lighthouse keepers and explore the maritime heritage of the region. The exhibits show how people worked here to guide ships safely along the coast.

Visitors can climb 228 steps to reach the watch room and external gallery, with guided tours available through the visitor center. Those unable to climb can explore exhibits in the lower levels of the building.

The lighthouse contains a first-order Fresnel lens made of lead glass weighing roughly 12,800 pounds, which originally allowed ships to see the light from about 19.5 nautical miles away. This complex optical equipment demonstrates the technical sophistication of maritime navigation before modern times.

Location: Atlantic City

Inception: 1856

Architects: George Meade

Height: 52 m

Website: https://abseconlighthouse.org

GPS coordinates: 39.36611,-74.41417

Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:00