Heislerville in Cumberland County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
All Shapes, Sizes and Materials
Aids to Navigation
— Maritime History —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 28, 2013
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.
this page online
11. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
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 National Park Service & the State of New Jersey.
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. 39° 11.758′ N, 75° 1.655′ W. Marker is in Heislerville, New Jersey, in Cumberland County. Marker can be reached from Lighthouse Road, 0.1 miles E Point Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in front of the East Point Lighthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Heislerville NJ 08324, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Guiding Light (here, next to this marker); East Point Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Maurice River (approx. 2.6 miles away); Steps to Harvest Oysters and Bring to Market (approx. 2.6 miles away); a different marker also named Steps to Harvest Oysters and Bring to Market
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 28, 2013
2. All Shapes, Sizes and Materials Marker
The East Point Lighthouse can be seen behind the marker.
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 with fog signals.”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 28, 2013
3. Markers at the East Point Lighthouse
Two markers are found at this location. The All Shapes, Sizes and Materials marker is seen here on the left
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 28, 2013
4. East Point Lighthouse
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 1, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
