Cape May Point in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Woman Leads the Lighthouse
Photographed by Charles Berman, September 24, 2025
1. A Woman Leads the Lighthouse Marker
( photo caption )
Left to right: Florence Palmer, Florence Arabelle (Belle) Palmer, Harry Hall Palmer and Ada Palmer
Left to right: Florence Palmer, Florence Arabelle (Belle) Palmer, Harry Hall Palmer and Ada Palmer
In 1933, Head Lighthouse Keeper Harry Palmer suffered a heart attack leaving him unable to attend to the lighthouse. Harrys wife, Florence Arabelle (Belle) Palmer, took over his duties and was named Custodian of the Cape May Light Station. Taking on a supervisory role, Belle attended to her duties satisfactorily at the light as no replacement Keeper was offered for two years. In late 1935, when Belle wrote her resignation letter, the Superintendent tried to convince her to stay, registering in a letter, I should be very pleased to have you reconsider the matter. Your early answer, hoping that it will be favorable to staying on as Custodian, is requested. Belle Palmer didnt reconsider, and the couple retired to an apartment on Washington Street in Cape May, exchanging lives of duty for travel, gardening, and time with grandchildren.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Waterways & Vessels • Women. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1933.
Location. 38° 55.979′ N, 74° 57.63′ W. Marker is in Cape May Point,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on New Jersey’s Jersey Shore. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Cape May Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); A Beacon to Freedom (a few steps from this marker); Oil House (a few steps from this marker); Lighthouse Keepers' Homes & Gardens (a few steps from this marker); Monomoy Lifesaving Boat (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Oil House (within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Welcome to the Cape May Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Maritime Sentinels (within shouting distance of this marker).
Other markers no longer nearby. Welcome to the Cape May Lighthouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); All Shapes, Sizes and Materials (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2025, by Charles Berman of Binghamton, New York. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 27 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on September 30, 2025, by Charles Berman of Binghamton, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
