Chapel Hill Rear Range Light

Chapel Hill Rear Range Light is a rectangular lighthouse in Middletown Township, New Jersey, with a central tower featuring white walls and dark trim for visibility. The structure was built to serve as a navigation aid guiding ships through busy water passages.

The lighthouse began operation in 1856 and served ships navigating through the New York Harbor area for over a century. Its closure came in 1957 as modern navigation technology made the old guiding systems obsolete.

The structure reflects how maritime communities once relied on visual signals to guide ships safely through busy waterways. Its role shows how people depended on these landmarks to navigate the challenging passages near New York Harbor.

The location in Middletown Township is accessible with basic navigation using local landmarks or coordinates as reference points. Visitors should know that the lighthouse is now privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside.

After closure, the lighthouse was auctioned off in 1959 and converted into a private home. The new owner transformed this former navigation aid into a residence suited for his interest in astronomy and stargazing.

Location: New Jersey

GPS coordinates: 40.39830,-74.05870

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:43