Sea Girt Lighthouse

The Sea Girt Lighthouse, L-shaped brick house (used as the keeper's residence) with an integral tower, was activated in December of 1896. Once exhibited, the crucial beacon of light from the lighthouse illuminated over a 38-mile stretch along the New Jersey coastline where shipwrecks often occurred between the Barnegat and the Sandy Hook Lighthouses.

In September of 1934, this unique two-story, brick lighthouse with its flashing red light, gave aid to the passengers and crew of a luxury ocean liner who had abandoned ship when fire had engulfed the ship. Later, during World War II, the lighthouse was used as headquarters for the Coast Guard's beach patrols on the lookout for German U-boats.

By 1955, with the steady advances in technology, the U.S. Coast Guard decided to decommission the lighthouse. Although it was no longer of use to the Coast Guard, the Borough of Sea Girt realized the historical significance of the lighthouse and stepped forward to purchase it. Nonetheless, by 1981, the Borough made plans to close and sell the lighthouse. The potential loss of this historical treasure raised concern in citizens who formed an independent, non-profit organization, called the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee.

Since 1981, the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee assumed full responsibility for the care and maintenance of this unique lighthouse. Today, the Committee is dedicated to preserving and educating the public about the history of one of only 20 surviving lighthouses in the State of New Jersey and the last live-in lighthouse built in the United States.