Cape May Point in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
What is it?
Cape May Point State Park
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
1. What is it? Marker
This WWII bunker served as a gun emplacement and the round turrets on either side held 6-inch guns. The horseshoe-shaped structures, which can be seen out in front at low tide, are Panama mounts. They were built in 1941, prior to the construction of the more permanent bunker and held four 155mm coast artillery guns. A sister bunker stands across the bay in Lewes, Delaware.
At the time of construction in 1942, this bunker was covered with sod and stood on high ground 900 feet from the ocean. Built of reinforced concrete, the roof and walls are 6 feet thick. Erosion and storms have washed away the land in front of and under the bunker. How long can the pilings, meant only to stabilize, support the bunker weighing thousands of tons?
Erected by State of New Jersey.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.
Location. 38° 55.912′ N, 74° 57.507′ W. Marker is in Cape May Point, New Jersey, in Cape May County. Marker can be reached from Lighthouse Road, on the left when
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Flipper and Friends (within shouting distance of this marker); Longshore Sediment Movement (within shouting distance of this marker); Shorebirds Galore (within shouting distance of this marker); Swarms of Dragonflies (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bats on the Move (about 300 feet away); Fragile Flyers (about 400 feet away); Ridges, Rivers and Coastlines (about 400 feet away); Monomoy Lifesaving Boat (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape May Point.
More about this marker. The bottom of the marker contains two photos of the bunker; one taken at ground level, and another taken from the air. Also on the marker is a diagram of the bunker’s floor plan.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
2. Marker in Cape May Point State Park
The bunker can be seen at the water's edge in the background of the photo.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
3. Bunker at Cape May Point
The marker is seen here at the left of the photo, on the trail to the beach.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
4. Marker near the Cape May Lighthouse
The marker (visible along the fence line) and the Cape May lighthouse can be seen in this photo.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
5. World War II Bunker
The former vehicle entrance to the bunker can be seen to the right in this photo.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
6. World War II Bunker
One of the turrets that held 6-inch Navy Guns can be seen in this photo. These were built in 1941, a year before the construction of the bunker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
7. Land Side of Bunker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
8. Identical Marker
The same marker appears a short distance away in the covered observation deck at the trailhead.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 27, 2009
9. Marker on Observation Deck
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 28, 2013
10. Bunker Seen from Lighthouse
This photo shows the bunker as seen from the top of the nearby Cape May Lighthouse.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,590 times since then and 205 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week September 20, 2009. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 28, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 10. submitted on September 2, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
