Absecon Lighthouse

{{Short description|Lighthouse in New Jersey, United States}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox lighthouse

| image = ABSECON 72 500.jpg

| location = Vermont and Pacific Avenues, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.

| coordinates = {{coord|39|21|58|N|74|24|51|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| yearbuilt = 1856

| yearlit = 1857

| marking = yellow/black/yellow{{cite uscghist|NJ|access-date = 2008-04-23}}

| yeardeactivated = 1933

| foundation = Granite blocks

| construction = Brick and iron

| shape = Frustum of a cone attached to keeper's house

| height = {{convert|171|ft}}

| lens = First-order Fresnel lens

| range = {{convert|19.5|nmi|abbr=on}}

| characteristic = fixed white light

| module = {{Infobox NRHP

| embed = yes

| name = Absecon Lighthouse

| nrhp_type =

| image =

| caption = Absecon Lighthouse

| architect =

| architecture =

| added = January 25, 1971

| area = {{convert|2|acre}}

| refnum = 71000492{{NRISref|2009a}}

| designated_other1_name = New Jersey Register of Historic Places

| designated_other1_abbr = NJRHP

| designated_other1_link = New Jersey Register of Historic Places

| designated_other1_date = September 11, 1970

| designated_other1_number = 389{{cite web|title=New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places - Atlantic County |url=http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/1identify/lists/atlantic.pdf |website=NJ DEP - Historic Preservation Office |page=1 |date=June 2, 2011 |access-date=July 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017091550/http://www.state.nj.us/dep/hpo/1identify/lists/atlantic.pdf |archive-date=October 17, 2006 }}

| designated_other1_num_position = bottom

| designated_other1_color = #ffc94b

}}

}}

The Absecon Lighthouse is a coastal lighthouse located in the north end of Atlantic City, New Jersey, overlooking Absecon Inlet. At {{convert|171|ft}} it is the tallest lighthouse in the state of New Jersey and the third-tallest masonry lighthouse in the United States.

Construction on Absecon Lighthouse began in 1854, with the light first lit on January 15, 1857. The lighthouse was deactivated in 1933 and, although the light still shines every night, it is no longer an active navigational aid. The lighthouse is open to public visitation and, for a small donation, one may climb to the watch room and external gallery. A re-creation of the keepers' quarters was opened in 2002 and serves as a museum and gift shop. The original oil house now contains a Fresnel lens exhibit. Along with school and group tours, the Absecon Lighthouse offers an overnight program for Scouts, a winter arts program for children, and a wide variety of special events throughout the year.

The Absecon Lighthouse was designed by George Meade and still retains its original first-order fixed Fresnel lens. The lens is made of lead glass and weighs {{convert|12800|lb}}{{cite web|url= http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/new-jersey-more/item/43284|title= Keeping the Absecon Lighthouse, and its lore, accessible to visitors|author= Cummings-Jordan, Mary|date= August 22, 2012|website= Newsworks|access-date= August 26, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131743/http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/new-jersey-more/item/43284|archive-date= March 4, 2016|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all}} As the light was fixed (non-flashing), it does not have a landward segment allowing visitors to look up in the lens where the keepers entered it for maintenance.

Jack E. Boucher conceived and oversaw the preservation of the lighthouse in 1964.

The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic American Buildings Survey, and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.{{cite web| url= http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/nj/Atlantic/state.html |title=NEW JERSEY - Atlantic County|website= National Register of Historic Places|access-date= March 6, 2008}}