Hereford Inlet Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | North Wildwood, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°0′24″N 74°47′32″W / 39.00667°N 74.79222°W |
| Year first constructed | 1874 |
| Year first lit | 1874 |
| Automated | 1964 |
| Foundation | Wood pilings |
| Construction | Wood |
| Tower shape | Square |
| Height | 57 feet (17 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth-order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi) |
| Characteristic | White light flashing every 10 sec |
The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is a famous old lighthouse in North Wildwood, New Jersey. It stands on the southern side of Hereford Inlet, at the top of Five Mile Beach. This lighthouse was finished and started working in 1874. Its tower is about 50 feet tall, and its light can be seen from up to 13 nautical miles away.
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History of the Lighthouse
Hereford Inlet is a gap in the barrier islands along the coast of Cape May. Whalers first used this area in the 1600s. The waters here could be tricky, with shifting sandbars and strong currents. Because of this, a life-saving station was built there in 1849. This station helped rescue people from shipwrecks.
A Light for Sailors
Shipwrecks were common across America. So, in 1871, the United States Life Saving Service was created. They built a bigger life-saving station at Hereford Inlet. After just one year, they realized a lighthouse was needed. They said a small light would be very helpful for ships carrying coal and for steamers. It would also mark a safe harbor for smaller boats.
On June 10, 1872, the government agreed to pay for a lighthouse. The land for the lighthouse was bought in 1873. The lighthouse was designed by Paul J. Pelz. He designed several other lighthouses in a similar style. The United States Army Corps of Engineers built the lighthouse. Construction began in November 1873 and finished in March 1874. The light officially started working on May 11, 1874.
Facing Storms and Fire
The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse has faced many challenges. A big storm hit in September 1889. It caused a lot of erosion and covered parts of the barrier islands. Many people from a nearby town, Anglesea, found shelter at the lighthouse.
Another severe storm in August 1913 brought water dangerously close to the lighthouse. It damaged the foundation. The lighthouse had to close temporarily. It was then moved 150 feet to the west to keep it safe. It reopened in 1914.
In 1938, a fire threatened the lighthouse. The lighthouse keeper, Ferdinand Heinzman, was painting when it happened. A coastguardsman saw smoke and called the fire department. Heinzman bravely fought the fire himself with a garden hose from a ladder. He saved the lighthouse! An investigation found that the fire started by itself.
Modern Times for the Lighthouse
In 1964, the lighthouse was turned off. The United States Coast Guard built a new, automated light tower nearby. The lighthouse building was later given to the New Jersey State Police. They still use the old Life Saving Station today.
The lighthouse itself was closed and boarded up until 1982. Then, local people asked to take care of the building. In 1986, the light from the new tower was moved back into the historic lighthouse. The grounds were taken care of by the superintendent of parks for North Wildwood.
The lighthouse was once painted white with red and blue trim. In 2003, it was painted back to its original buff color. A new light beacon was installed in 2018. The United States Coast Guard still maintains the light today. This means it is an active aid to navigation for ships.
Today, the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is a working lighthouse and a museum. The City of North Wildwood and its Historical Commission manage it. The lighthouse is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places since 1977. It is also part of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail. Donations and fundraising help keep the lighthouse running.
Lighthouse Keepers
The first lighthouse keeper was John Marche. He served for less than three months. Sadly, he drowned when his boat flipped over while returning from the mainland. The next keeper was Freeling "Captain" Hewitt. He was a veteran of the American Civil War. He served as keeper for 45 years, which is the longest time anyone held the job.
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