Atlantic City in Atlantic County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Life-Saving Station
Absecon Lighthouse
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 19, 2011
1. The Life-Saving Station Marker
By 1872, the first life-saving station was in operation on the corner of the Lighthouse property. This simple building, with some periodic renovations, served until the second, larger and more ornate station was constructed in 1884.
The new life-saving station was designed by Paul Johannes Pelz, the architect of the U. S. Library of Congress. The Atlantic City Life-Saving Station was one of four designed by Pelz, the others being at Deal and Bay Head, New Jersey, and Brenton Point in Newport, Rhode Island.
While the Lighthouse served as a beacon at night, warning ships away from the dangerous sand bars, the “surfmen” of the U.S. Life-Saving Service were prepared to row out at a moment’s notice to rescue any unfortunate travelers who met with disaster at sea. Their surfboats were kept where you are standing now, then pulled directly out onto the beach for drills and rescues, as the need arose.
You have to go out but you don’t have to come back.
Legendary motto of the U.S. Life-Saving Service
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 1872.
Location. 39°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. USCS Steamer Robert J. Walker / Assistant Keepers' Dwelling (a few steps from this marker); Absecon Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); 44th National Encampment Grand Army of the Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); Lighthouse History / Absecon Lighthouse Facts (within shouting distance of this marker); Keeper’s Dwelling / Lightkeepers of Absecon Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Chronology (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whaling Bark Stafford (within shouting distance of this marker); Edna Patricia Hall (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Atlantic City.
More about this marker. Four photos appear on the marker. One, from the Collection of Elinor Veit, has a caption of “Boats from the U. S. Life-Saving Service are seen parked on the beach opposite the Lighthouse and the 1884 life-saving station.” The other three photos are from the Collection of the Atlantic County Historical Society. They have captions
Also see . . . Historic Absecon Lighthouse website. (Submitted on August 21, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 19, 2011
3. The Life-Saving Station Marker as it used to look in its location.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 19, 2011
4. Absecon Lighthouse
At 171 feet, the Absecon Lighthouse is the third tallest lighthouse in the United States and the tallest in New Jersey.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 21, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 730 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 21, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on January 23, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on August 21, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
