Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Navesink Light Station
Twin Lights Historic Site
At almost 200 feet above sea level, the Navesink Light Station, also known as Twin Lights, is positioned on one of the highest points on the Atlantic coast. Lighthouses on this site have guided mariners safely into New York Harbor since 1828. The present lighthouse was built in 1862.
Twin Lights is famous as the first lighthouse in the United States to be fitted in 1841 with revolutionary Fresnel lenses. These lenses created an intense and bright light that was visible at great distance.
In 1898, a large bivalve Fresnel lens was installed in the south tower. This lens was, for many years, the most powerful light in the United States. The range of the light was 22 miles, but sailors reported seeing the flash against the night sky from as far as 70 miles away. This lens is currently on display in the powerhouse building down the walkway to your right.
Advances in navigation technology made many lighthouses obsolete, and in 1949, the Twin Lights were turned off. The lighthouse stood as a daytime beacon until it was removed from the official light lists in 1951.
The federal government initially turned the property over to the Borough of Highlands. In 1962, it was given to the State of New Jersey and designated a State Historic Site. The Navesink Light Station is listed on both the State
this page online
Erected by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; Division of Parks and Forestry, State Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Landmarks • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.
Location. 40° 23.8′ N, 73° 59.152′ W. Marker is in Highlands, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. Marker is on Light House Road, 0.1 miles south of Twinlights Terrace, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Government Rd, Highlands NJ 07732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Navesink Light Station (here, next to this marker); Spermaceti Cove Life Saving Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Telegraph and Radar at Twin Lights (within shouting distance of this marker); From the Navesink Highlands (within shouting distance of this marker);
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
