East Point Light facts for kids
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| East Point Light, 2014 | |
 East Point Light
Location in Cumberland County, New Jersey
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| Location | Lighthouse Road, near the junction of East Point Road Maurice River Township, New Jersey |
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| Coordinates | 39°11′45″N 75°1′38″W / 39.19583°N 75.02722°W |
| Year first constructed | 1849 |
| Year first lit | 1849 |
| Automated | 1911 |
| Deactivated | 1941–1980 |
| Foundation | Stone |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Octagonal on roof of rectangular building |
| Height | 40 feet (12.2 m) |
| Original lens | Sixth order Fresnel lens |
| Characteristic | Iso W 6s |
| ARLHS number | ARLHS USA-262 |
The East Point Light, also known as the Maurice River Light, is a historic lighthouse in Heislerville, New Jersey. It stands proudly on the Delaware Bay, right where the Maurice River meets the bay. This important landmark is located in Maurice River Township, Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States.
Built in 1849, the East Point Light is the second oldest lighthouse in New Jersey. Only the Sandy Hook Light, which was built way back in 1764, is older. The light was turned off in 1941 and almost burned down in 1971. Luckily, the United States Coast Guard brought the light back to life in 1980. Its outside was fully fixed by 1999.
This lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 25, 1995. It was recognized for its importance in engineering, shipping history, and transportation. In 2015, it became part of the Maurice River Lighthouse and East Point Archeological District. The lighthouse was completely restored, inside and out, by 2017. Today, it helps guide ships and is also a museum. You can visit it year-round for tours and special events.
A Look Back in Time
The East Point Light was built in 1849. It was first called the Maurice River Light. This lighthouse was very important for ships. It helped them navigate the waters of the Delaware Bay. It also guided them safely into the Maurice River.
The lighthouse served its purpose for many years. In 1911, it became automated. This meant it no longer needed a keeper to operate the light. However, in 1941, the light was turned off. It remained inactive for a long time.
A big challenge came in 1971. A fire nearly destroyed the historic building. But people worked hard to save it. The lighthouse was eventually relit by the Coast Guard in 1980. This brought it back to active duty.
Saving the Lighthouse
The East Point Light faces a big problem today. The land around it is washing away. This is called erosion. Local governments try to protect the area. They use large sand bags and bulldozers. These efforts help to shore up the land.
Even with these efforts, the lighthouse is very close to the water. It is only about 40 yards (37 m) from the shore. Old photos from 1940 show that there used to be much more beach. During big storms, the waves can come very close to the lighthouse's front steps.
People are working hard to protect this historic site. A rally was held in 2018 to raise awareness. More sandbags have been added since then. The State of New Jersey helped pay for these. Local road departments also worked together to rebuild the sandbag wall.
There are plans for a new system. It is called a geotube system. This system will be installed to help protect the point. It will keep the lighthouse safe until more permanent solutions can be found. Protecting the East Point Light is important for its future.
