Important Historical Dates

1823	First known lighthouse constructed, although there is some evidence that there was a beacon built here in the late 18th century. The 1823 tower was 68 feet tall, and its location is now underwater due to erosion.
1847	The second lighthouse was built. It was a 78 foot tower located directly in front of the present tower, just beyond the present shoreline. It was replaced by the present lighthouse because it was poorly constructed.
1857	The Army Corps of Engineers began construction on the present tower, which cost $40,000 to build. The 1st order Fresnel lens, which is now in the Cape May County Museum, probably cost about $15,000.
1859	The Lighthouse was first lighted on October 31. The next year, two lighthouse keepers’ dwellings were built. The one remaining is now used by the State Park Service.
1893	The oil house was constructed.
1902	One of the keepers’ dwellings was enlarged to provide more space for the housing the keepers’ families. Three keepers and their families lived at the Lighthouse site.
1902	An incandescent oil vapor lamp was installed and replaced the Funck multiple wick first order hydraulic float lamp that dated back to 1878.
1933	The light apparatus was electrified.
1936	The light apparatus was automated, which eliminated the need for lighthouse keepers being permanently stationed at the tower.
1939	The United States Lighthouse Service was discontinued and its equipment and personnel transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard.
1941	The Lighthouse was darkened until 1945 because of World War II. The Atlantic coast was on blackout due to the presence of enemy submarines.
1946	A DCB-36 rotating light (like an airport beacon) was installed. The original first order Fresnel lens was placed in the Cape May County Museum.
1986	The Lighthouse was leased to MAC by the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry, who in turn leased the structure from the Coast Guard.
1988	MAC undertook public safety improvements that allowed the public to climb to the top.
1989	A grant from the Bicentennial Lighthouse Fund underwrote the restoration of the Lighthouse’s windows and doors.
1990	The oil house was restored and adapted for use as an orientation center and museum shop, with funding from the Bicentennial Lighthouse Fund and the New Jersey Historic Trust.
1992	The ownership of the Lighthouse was transferred from the Coast Guard to the State of New Jersey.
1994	Grants from the New Jersey Historic Trust and the federal ISTEA program administered by the State DOT funded painting of the tower and restoration of the lantern and roof.
1998	Grants from the same agencies funded all remaining restoration on the lighthouse structure.
2000-2001	A grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust funded the grounds restoration project.
2002	The Coast Guard installed a modern light known as a DCB-224. It uses parabolic mirrors to focus the beams rather than lenses.