Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Marconi at Twin Lights
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
1. Marconi at Twin Lights Marker
Messages from the first practical demonstration of wireless telegraph were sent from this site on September 30, 1899 by famous Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi.
Marconi had been invited to America by Gordon Bennett Jr., the owner of the New York Herald Newspaper, to report on the Americas Cup sailboat race using his wireless telegraph. An antenna mast was erected on top of the north Twin Lights tower.
The Americas Cup race was, however, preempted by a naval review organized by President [Theodore] Roosevelt, to celebrate the victory of Commodore George Deweys fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay. Marconis first wireless transmissions in America were sent to report on the progress of Commodore Deweys fleet.
On October 3, the same wireless apparatus was used to receive reports on the Americas Cup race between Shamrock and the Columbia, which took place in the ocean just off the tip of Sandy Hook.
Marconi maintained a wireless station at Twin Lights for a short period of time before deciding that other locations along the United States coastline would provide better reception for his wireless equipment.
Erected by NJ
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1939.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 23.795′ N, 73° 59.155′ W. Marker was in Highlands, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It could be reached from Lighthouse Road. Marker is located at the Twin Lights Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Highlands NJ 07732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in New Jersey’s Central Jersey, specifically on the Jersey Shore, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
2. Twin Lights Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Navesink Light Station (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Navesink Light Station (a few steps from this marker); Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Spermaceti Cove Life Saving Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Powerhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Electric Power Station (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Telegraph and Radar at Twin Lights (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Marconi at Twin Lights (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Highlands.
Other markers no longer nearby. Spermaceti Cove Lifeboat Station (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Old North Tower (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Telegraph and Radar at Twin Lights (was a few steps from this marker but has been
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
3. Markers at Twin Lights Historic Site
Several markers are found at this location. The "Marconi at Twin Lights" marker is the leftmost of the three in the photo.
More about this marker. Four photographs appear on the marker. One is a signed portrait of Guglielmo Marconi. Below this is a photo of Commodore Dewey aboard his flagship, the Olympia. The other photos depict The Shamrock and Columbia Racing [during the Americas Cup competition], October 3, 1899 and Marconi and assistant with telegraph equipment, 1900.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . . Twin Lights. Twin Lights Historical Society website homepage (Submitted on April 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. America's Cup
During the America's Cup, the Shamrock was piloted by tea magnate Sir Thomas J. Lipton. He competed in the America's Cup on five occasions, but never won the competition.
— Submitted September 21, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
4. Navesink Light Station
The South Tower of Navesink's Twin Lights can be seen in this photo.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
5. Twin Lights Markers from the North Tower
The "Marconi at Twin Lights" Marker (leftmost of the three) is seen here from the top of the North Tower.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
6. View from the North Tower
This view shows the advantage of this location for Marconi's wireless antenna. The water where the America's Cup competition was held can be seen in this photo, as well as the Twin Light's South Tower.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,845 times since then and 197 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 21, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
