Important Historical Dates

1823 First known lighthouse constructed, although it is possible there was a beacon built here in the late 18th century. The 1823 tower was 68 feet tall, and its location is now under water 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 housing the keepers' families. Three keepers and their families lived at the lighthouse site.
1910 An incandescent oil vapor lamp was installed and replaced the Funck multiple wick first order hydraulic float lamp that dated back to 1878.
1938 The light apparatus was electrified, 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 The present rotating optical lens was installed and the first order Fresnel lens was placed in the Cape May County Museum.
1986 The lighthouse was subleased 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 NJ 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 work on the lighthouse.