Sea Girt Lighthouse

by Bill Dunn

Overview

In the New Jersey shore community of Sea Girt, where Commodore Robert Stockton's oceanfront mansion had a porch as long as a ship's deck from which he surveyed the waters, a lighthouse was built in 1896. Sea Girt Lighthouse illuminated a dark space, providing a crucial guiding light to passing ships. The station would become a lighthouse of distinction and innovation. In 1920, it was the first land-based lighthouse with a radio beacon transmitter, enabling ships to navigate through fog. During World War II, the Coast Guard extinguished the light, stood watch in the tower, and patrolled the beaches. No matter the mission, the lighthouse met every challenge. In 1956, the town acquired the decommissioned lighthouse, making it the library and recreation center. By 1981, however, the building needed extensive repairs and was at risk of being sold. Concerned residents formed the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee to "save our lighthouse." And they did, restoring it, preserving its history, and keeping it busy with community events.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467115810
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	04/25/2016
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Bill Dunn visited Sea Girt Lighthouse often as a youngster when it was the recreation center. Dunn, who was a reporter at the Detroit News and later USA Today, has written several books, including Sea Girt Lighthouse: The Community Beacon. He is the lighthouse historian and a docent.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 6

Introduction 7

1 Commodore Stockton's Girt Surrounded by Sea 9

2 Sea Girt Light Illuminates the Dark Space 19

3 Early Years, Unexpected Challenges 31

4 Modernization, Repairs, and a Radio Fog Beacon 41

5 Times of Transition 59

6 Sea Girt Light at War, Decommissioned in Peace 71

7 Reborn as the Lighthouse Library and Recreation Center 81

8 Sea Girt Lighthouse Saved, Tower Relighted 89

9 Alive with Activity 101

10 Taking the Tour, Surviving Sandy, Carrying On 113