Cape May Lighthouse

National Lighthouse Day Festivities-Aug. 7, 2008 

Located in Cape May Point State Park, Lower Township.  Newly built in 1859.

More than 100 thousand visitors a year now experience a visit to the top of the lighthouse, participating in a century old rite of a visit to the Jersey Shore.

For those who choose not to climb, the Oil House contains a fully-accessible visitors' orientation center and a Museum Shop stocked with maritime accessories and memorabilia.

About the Lighthouse

The present tower, which is the third documented lighthouse at the southern tip of New Jersey, has always been an attention-getting landmark as well as an aid-to-navigation for mariners.

Because it is adjacent to the community of Cape May Point and just two miles from the city of Cape May, it has drawn visitors throughout its history. In 1882, the Cape May Ocean Wave reported that "the gentleman superintendent in charge [of the lighthouse], Mr. Samuel Stillwell, takes pleasure in showing visitors who have the nerve and strength of limb to the top, the interior of the lantern, and explaining the interesting operations of the light.  A very picturesque view of the sea, bay, and country may also be obtained from the giddy heights of the edifice."

In 1897, the newspaper made it clear that a visit to the lighthouse was a requisite part of one's vacation: "One of the interesting features to Cape May summer visitors is a journey to the top of the lighthouse."