Barnegat Lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse in Barnegat Light, New Jersey, United States.
Barnegat Lighthouse rises 52 meters (171 feet) above the northern tip of Long Beach Island, serving as a navigation aid along the New Jersey coastline for over a century and a half. The red brick tower displays a broad white base and a red midsection, visible from miles away on clear days.
George Meade oversaw construction of this tower in 1859 after coastal erosion threatened an earlier structure built in 1834. The new design followed proven patterns used in other East Coast lighthouses of that period.
Locals call the tower Old Barney, a name that reflects generations of affection for this coastal marker. Visitors notice its red band and white base in countless photographs, postcards, and paintings displayed throughout the island.
Visitors climb 217 steps to reach the observation platform, which offers views over Barnegat Bay and the surrounding coastline. The ascent can be physically demanding, so guests should take their time and pause when needed.
The light returned to active service in 2009 after 65 years of darkness, equipped with a modern VRB-25 system that requires less maintenance. This reactivation on the 150th anniversary linked tradition with current technology, bringing light back to a tower long viewed only as a historical monument.
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