Sandy Hook Light, Lighthouse in Middletown Township, US
Sandy Hook Light is an octagonal limestone tower located on the New Jersey coast that rises 26 meters above the ground. Its white exterior and stone foundation create a simple but solid structure built to withstand harsh coastal weather over many decades.
The lighthouse was built in 1764 using an innovative lottery system to fund its construction, making it a crucial aid for maritime safety. This period marked a turning point in harbor navigation as shipping traffic to and from New York intensified during the colonial era.
This lighthouse represents the maritime heritage of the New Jersey coast and how shipping shaped early settlement patterns in the region. Walking around it today, you can sense how central this tower was to the daily operations of the harbor and the survival of coastal communities.
You can climb the interior stairs to reach the observation deck and enjoy views of the harbor and surrounding coastline. Guided tours led by National Park Service rangers are available regularly and provide detailed information about the structure and its role in local history.
This is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the United States, still functioning for over 250 years without losing its purpose. The fact that it continues to guide ships today demonstrates how well the original 18th-century builders understood what they were constructing.
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