Sea Girt Lighthouse: The Community Beacon
The Jersey Shore lighthouse that stands in Sea Girt has been a guiding beacon for seafarers since the end of the nineteenth century. A revolutionary lens, designed by Frenchman Augustin-Jean Fresnel, captured the flickering flame of a burning wick and projected a unique flash that could be seen for fifteen miles. The genius of Fresnel's design, on full display at the lighthouse, impresses as much now as it did in the days of sail. Many colorful characters were put in command here, including a Civil War soldier, a pioneering woman, an inventor and, for one day, the twenty-year-old daughter of a keeper. Sea Girt Lighthouse played an important role in defending the coast during World War II, when U.S. Coast Guard troops stood watch in the tower and patrolled the beaches. After its decommissioning, the lighthouse served for over two decades as the town library and recreation center, but by 1981, it was at risk of being closed and sold. That's when a group of community members—the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee—successfully fought to save and preserve the shore landmark. Today, the lighthouse is the community beacon, alive with activity and attracting visitors who flock from around the country and the world to experience its history.
1118600831
Sea Girt Lighthouse: The Community Beacon
The Jersey Shore lighthouse that stands in Sea Girt has been a guiding beacon for seafarers since the end of the nineteenth century. A revolutionary lens, designed by Frenchman Augustin-Jean Fresnel, captured the flickering flame of a burning wick and projected a unique flash that could be seen for fifteen miles. The genius of Fresnel's design, on full display at the lighthouse, impresses as much now as it did in the days of sail. Many colorful characters were put in command here, including a Civil War soldier, a pioneering woman, an inventor and, for one day, the twenty-year-old daughter of a keeper. Sea Girt Lighthouse played an important role in defending the coast during World War II, when U.S. Coast Guard troops stood watch in the tower and patrolled the beaches. After its decommissioning, the lighthouse served for over two decades as the town library and recreation center, but by 1981, it was at risk of being closed and sold. That's when a group of community members—the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee—successfully fought to save and preserve the shore landmark. Today, the lighthouse is the community beacon, alive with activity and attracting visitors who flock from around the country and the world to experience its history.
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Sea Girt Lighthouse: The Community Beacon

Sea Girt Lighthouse: The Community Beacon

by Bill Dunn
Sea Girt Lighthouse: The Community Beacon

Sea Girt Lighthouse: The Community Beacon

by Bill Dunn

Overview

The Jersey Shore lighthouse that stands in Sea Girt has been a guiding beacon for seafarers since the end of the nineteenth century. A revolutionary lens, designed by Frenchman Augustin-Jean Fresnel, captured the flickering flame of a burning wick and projected a unique flash that could be seen for fifteen miles. The genius of Fresnel's design, on full display at the lighthouse, impresses as much now as it did in the days of sail. Many colorful characters were put in command here, including a Civil War soldier, a pioneering woman, an inventor and, for one day, the twenty-year-old daughter of a keeper. Sea Girt Lighthouse played an important role in defending the coast during World War II, when U.S. Coast Guard troops stood watch in the tower and patrolled the beaches. After its decommissioning, the lighthouse served for over two decades as the town library and recreation center, but by 1981, it was at risk of being closed and sold. That's when a group of community members—the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee—successfully fought to save and preserve the shore landmark. Today, the lighthouse is the community beacon, alive with activity and attracting visitors who flock from around the country and the world to experience its history.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781626195066
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date: 04/08/2014
Series: Landmarks
Pages: 208
Product dimensions: 8.80(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Bill Dunn, a Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee trustee, is also a docent and the lighthouse historian. His association with the lighthouse goes back to his childhood, when it was the recreation center. Bill, who was a reporter at the Detroit News and, later, USA Today, has written several previous books.

Table of Contents

Credits 5

Acknowledgements 7

1 Beginnings: Phaxos to Sandy Hook 9

2 New Jersey Coast: Bright Lights and a Dark Space 17

3 Sea Girt: The Midway Solution 24

4 Fresnel, His Lenses and Sea Girt's Fresnel Lens 30

5 In Lighthouse Service: Constant and Faithful Attention 36

6 Early Years: Keepers Wolf, Yates and Yates 43

7 Years of Modernization: Keepers Hawkey and Lake 58

8 Final Years Under the Lighthouse Sendee: Keeper Thomas 77

9 U.S. Coast Guard Era: In War and Peace 89

10 Borough Library and Recreation Center 103

11 Lighthouse Saved, Tower Relighted 111

12 Uncovering Buried Treasure and a Forgotten Fireplace 120

13 Beacon to the Community 130

14 Room-by-Room Tour 141

Postscript: Preserving History Together 167

Notes 169

Index 185

About the Author 191

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