North Wildwood in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
All Shapes, Sizes and Materials
Aids to Navigation
— Maritime History —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2011
1. All Shapes, Sizes and Materials Marker
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.Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
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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; National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & 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 This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.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 39° 0.413′ N, 74° 47.5′ W. Marker was in North Wildwood, New Jersey, in Cape May County. Marker was at the intersection of N Central Avenue and E 1st Avenue, on the right when traveling north on N Central Avenue. The marker is located at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Wildwood NJ 08260, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. In Honor of Marine Lance Corporal George Dramis (here, next to this marker); Herefort Inlet Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); Coast Guard Station Hereford
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2011
2. Markers in North Wildwood
Two markers are found at this location. The All Shapes, Sizes and Materials marker is seen here on the left.
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
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2011
3. All Shapes, Sizes and Materials Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . .
1. The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. Museum homepage (Submitted on February 4, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. National Park Service website. (Submitted on August 21, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2011
4. The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2011
5. All Shapes, Sizes and Materials Marker
The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is part of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. This marker explaining the trail is located in front of the lighthouse.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 499 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 21, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
