Elbow of Cross Ledge Light

The Elbow of Cross Ledge Light is a navigation lighthouse mounted on a granite pier in Delaware Bay's busy shipping channel. Its octagonal two-story brick structure sat directly in the water and was accessible only by boat.

The lighthouse began operations in 1910 after construction delays caused by a severe 1907 storm that killed workers. It marked a critical navigation point in the shipping channel until its destruction in 1953.

Three lighthouse keepers maintained the structure and welcomed summer visitors who toured the station, documenting maritime life in Delaware Bay.

The lighthouse stood in a remote location directly in the bay waters, making visits possible only by boat. Information about this site can be found in local maritime museums and historical records.

Due to frequent ship collisions, lighthouse keepers developed an unusual safety protocol of sleeping in life jackets. This precaution reflects the extreme hazards of working at this perilous section of the shipping channel.

Location: Cumberland County

Inception: 1910

GPS coordinates: 39.18160,-75.26830

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:47