The Jersey Shore is home to a number of light houses from Cape May to the south to the Twin Lights of the Navesink overlooking Sandy Hook Gateway National Seashore at the Northern tip. The Twin Lights have protected the coast since 1828 and the current lighthouse was built in 1862. Decommissioned in 1949, the Twin Lights are maintained by private donations today. The lighthouse is worth a stop for both the sweeping views of Sandy Hook, and New York Harbor beyond, as well as for the history and architecture.
Twin Lights watches over Sandy Hook
We have visited the Twin Lights several times, and even as teens and tweens our kids enjoy climbing to the top of the North Tower to take in the views more than 200 feet below. They are impressed by the enormous Fresnel Lens that was capable of producing light that could be seen 22 miles out to sea. The lens resembles a glass beehive and was an incredible innovation when it was imported from France and installed in 1841. It rotated on a 700 pound clock work type mechanism that had to be wound by hand every 6 hours. Over the years other types of lights were installed in the two towers as the technology evolved.
Sailors reported seeing the glow 70 miles out to sea and its beam helped many boats navigate the harbor, including ships full of immigrants heading to Ellis Island. Several museum exhibits provide glimpses of the life of lighthouse keepers a hundred years ago. The lighthouse was also home to one of Marconi’s earliest telegraph stations that was used to communicate results from the America’s Cup races held off the coast of Sandy Hook in 1899.
View of Sandy Hook Gateway National Seashore from Twin Lights
The grounds outside the Twin Lights building provide spectacular views of the coast. Our kids are always intrigued by what is called the Mystery Cannon. A 17th century 12 pound ship’s cannon is displayed. It was found buried on the grounds when work was being done in the 1840s. It is often called a pirate’s gun, but no proof for that claim exists. You’ll have to make your own decision about its source when you visit.
The Twin Lights are worth the stop if you are planning to visit Sandy Hook and other areas of Monmouth County. And of course, for those interested in light houses it is a must do.
This is one in a series on Top 10 activities for family vacations with teens and tweens on the Jersey Shore. Click the link to see the full list or visit our Travel with Teens and Tweens Jersey Shore archives see the posts in chronological order.
