The original lighthouse to stand watch at Barnegat Inlet was constructed from 1834 to 1835. It was a 40' brick tower with a fixed fourth order lens. Over the next 21 years, the tower fell into disrepair and was threatened by erosion. In 1855, Lt. George G. Meade recommended that it be replaced. Within 2 years of Lt. Meades report, erosion caused the original tower to fall into the sea.

A makeshift tower was constructed with wood while the present tower was being built from 1857 to 1858. On New Year's Day, 1859, the light was first lit in the new tower. It was a typical Meade design, resembling her sister to the south, Absecon Lighthouse.

The present conical tower stands 172' tall with a focal plane height of 165'. It was fitted with a first order Fresnel lens. This lens stood approximately 10' tall and weighed 5 tons. It had 24 bulls-eyes that produced a flash every 10 seconds. It has been said that it's light could be seen up to 30 miles out at sea. This lens is on display with other artifacts in the Barnegat Light Museum.

The lighthouses' daymark is red over white with a white lantern room.

In 1926, the lighthouse was transferred to the State of New Jersey. In 1944 it was decommissioned and the lens was removed. It was replaced with a gas blinking light on the roof of the lantern room. After only a few weeks, the blinker was removed and it was replaced with a 250 watt bulb that shone from withing the lantern room.

During W.W.II Barnegat Lighthouse was used as a lookout station for German submarines.

The lighthouse stands within the 35 acres of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. The tower is open for climbing on a seasonal basis.

For additional information, please contact:

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
P.O. Box 167
Barnegat Light, NJ 08066

Phone: (609) 494-2016