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 America’s Cup sailboat race using his wireless telegraph. An antenna mast was erected on top of the north Twin Lights tower.
The America’s Cup race was, however, preempted by a naval review organized by President [Theodore] Roosevelt, to celebrate the victory of Commodore George Dewey’s fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay. Marconi’s first wireless transmissions in America were sent to report on the progress of Commodore Dewey’s fleet.
On October 3, the same wireless apparatus was used to receive reports on the America’s 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 Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks & Forestry.
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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 This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.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. Marker 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.
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); 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.
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Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
2. Twin Lights Marker
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
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.
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 1,585 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 21, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
