East Point Lighthouse

East Point Lighthouse At A Glance...

East Point is the last of the Delaware Bay lighthouses still standing on the New Jersey side, and the second oldest lighthouse in the state.
Spring brings shorebirds feeding on horseshoe crab eggs on the beach, and in July diamondback terrapins come ashore to lay their own eggs.
Sunsets over the marsh and the bay make this a favorite spot for photographers and painters.
Todays Sunrise: , Sunset:
New Jersey Southern Shore Region Cumberland County

About East Point Lighthouse

East Point Lighthouse marks the mouth of the Maurice River on Delaware Bay, on the Southern Bayshore in Cumberland County. Built in 1849, it is the second oldest lighthouse still standing in New Jersey, after Sandy Hook, and the last one left on the Jersey side of the bay. This two-story Cape Cod style brick building with its distinctive red roof is still an active aid to navigation, and the lighthouse and its grounds are on the National Register of Historic Places.

East Point is known for spectacular views and sunsets, and the lantern room looks out over the marsh and the bay. It is a popular destination for artists, photographers, wildlife watchers and history fans alike. The lighthouse sits inside Heislerville Wildlife Management Area. You can walk the grounds and the beach at any time, and there is parking on site. The beach is hard to reach at high tide.

Activities:
- Fishing
- Walking
Amenities:
- Parking Lot(s)
- Picnic / Sitting Area
- Lighthouse
Park Type:
- Historic Area
Attractions:
- Lighthouse
- Museum / Gallery
Rules/Regulations:
- Alcohol Not Permitted

Contact / Location

Primary Address:

Get Directions Lighthouse Road,
Heislerville, New Jersey 08324

Contact:

Website

A Brief History

Congress set aside $5,000 for the lighthouse in March 1849, the Middleton brothers won the building contract, and the light went into service on September 10, 1849. It was first called the Maurice River Lighthouse and took the name East Point in 1913. Fishermen, oystermen and recreational boaters used its light to find the mouth of the river, and hunters, trappers and surveyors used it as a daytime landmark.

The light was automated in 1911 and sat inactive from 1941 to 1980. A fire set by trespassers on July 15, 1971 destroyed the lantern room and roof and damaged much of the interior, and the Coast Guard relit the light on July 2, 1980. Exterior restoration followed in the 1990s, and an $852,000 project in 2016 and 2017 replaced the roof, renovated the interior and repointed the brickwork. It was rededicated on September 10, 2017.

The Maurice River Historical Society began managing the site in the 1990s and led the restoration, working with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority and the New Jersey Historic Trust. Erosion is the long-term concern: the tower stands only about 40 yards from the shore, and in November 2019 the state spent $460,000 on sand-filled geotubes around the point as temporary protection.

Tips and Tricks

Fall is the best season for birds, with raptors and songbirds arriving in numbers after cold fronts. In winter you can scan the bay for ducks, loons and snow geese from your car. Check the tide before you go, because the beach is hard to reach at high tide.

Directions

From Route 47 just east of Delmont, take Glade Road (County Road 616) west to Heislerville, where it becomes East Point Road. Follow it to the end at the lighthouse.