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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Lower Township near Cape May in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
REMOVED
SEE LOCATION SECTION
 

All Shapes, Sizes and Materials

Aids to Navigation

— Maritime History —

 
 
All Shapes, Sizes and Materials Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
1. All Shapes, Sizes and Materials Marker
Inscription.
Primary seacoast lights were located to warn mariners of their proximity to land, the presence of navigational dangers, and to help set their course. By 1852, however, lighthouses and lightships often looked so much alike that it was difficult to distinguish one from another.

Today, each lighthouse has a “characteristic” or coded sequence of light flashes making it possible for the mariner to identify the light and its location along the coast. For example, Barnegat Light’s “Characteristic” was a flash every ten seconds at each point of the compass.

Each lighthouse tower also has a “daymark” or distinctive design and paint pattern. The yellow-black-yellow painted pattern on Absecon Lighthouse helped mariners to distinguish it from others. Some lighthouses, especially those located on dangerous shoals in the harbors and bays, are also equipped with fog signals to warn mariners of potential danger. What other unique characteristics and features help make each of New Jersey’s lighthouses distinctive?

Lighthouses of New Jersey
1. Sandy Hook Lighthouse
2. Robbins Reef Lighthouse
3. Romer Shoal Lighthouse
4. Twin Lights of Navesink
5. Conover Beacon
6. Great Beds Lighthouse
7. Chapel Hill Lighthouse
8. Sea Girt Lighthouse
9. Barnegat Lighthouse
10. Absecon Lighthouse
11.
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Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
12. Cape May Point Lighthouse
13. East Point Lighthouse
14. Finns Point Rear Range Lighthouse
15. Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse
16. Elbow of Cross Ledge Lighthouse
17. Miah Maull Shoal Lighthouse
18. Ship John Shoal Lighthouse
19. Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse

 
Erected by State of New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry and National Park System.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made FeaturesWaterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.
 
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 55.987′ N, 74° 57.61′ W. Marker was near Cape May, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It was in Lower Township. Marker was on Light House Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in Cape May Point State Park, in front of the lighthouse. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 215 Light House Ave, Cape May NJ 08204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Maritime Sentinels (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Cape May Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); Monomoy Lifesaving Boat (a few steps
Marker in Cape May Point SP image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
2. Marker in Cape May Point SP
from this marker); Lighthouse Keepers' Homes & Gardens (a few steps from this marker); Oil House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Oil House (a few steps from this marker); The Cape May Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Fragile Flyers (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape May.
 
More about this marker. The upper right of the marker features a map of New Jersey showing the location of the 19 lighthouses listed on the marker. The bottom of the marker contains photographs of some of New Jersey’s lighthouses, including: Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Gateway NRA; Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City; Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May; Navesink Twin Lights Lighthouse, Highlands; Barnegat Lighthouse, Long Beach Island; East Point Lighthouse, Heislerville; Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, North Wildwood; and Miah Maull & Ship John shoal lights, Sea Breeze & Fortesque. The caption indicates that “Some navigational aids, especially those located on dangerous shoals, are also equipped with fog signals.”
 
Related marker.
Marker at the Cape May Lighthouse image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
3. Marker at the Cape May Lighthouse
Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
 
Also see . . .
1. New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. National Park Service website. (Submitted on August 28, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.) 

2. Cape May Lighthouse. Lighthouse Friends website. (Submitted on August 28, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.) 
 
Cape May Lighthouse image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
4. Cape May Lighthouse
New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
5. New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail
The Cape May Lighthouse is part of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. These markers explaining the trail are located at the museum, just south of the marker.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 868 times since then and 9 times this year. Last updated on March 3, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 28, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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Mar. 19, 2024