National Register Listing

Brandywine Shoal Light Station

a.k.a. Brandywine Shoal Light

In lower Delaware Bay, about 8.8 mi. WNW of Cape May Point, Cape May Point, NJ
Brandywine Shoal Light Station is historically significant for its association with the Federal government's efforts to provide for an integrated system of navigational aids throughout the United States. It is also significant for its role in promoting safe maritime transport in the Delaware Bay region, a major center of maritime commerce in America since colonial times. This light station marks a hazardous shoal just inside the Bay's entrance, and is the first offshore lighthouse that mariners encounter upon entering the Bay from seaward. The light on Brandywine Shoal has aided navigation along the Delaware Bay's principal shipping channel since the middle nineteenth century, and the existing lighthouse has been a prominent landmark since its completion in 1914. The structure standing today is unusual in United States light station engineering. It was the first offshore light in the country where both the caisson-type foundation pier and superstructure are made of reinforced concrete. Most lights of that type have a cast iron caisson. This structure's concrete pier and tower were built more quickly, cost less money, and cost less to maintain than a corresponding cast iron lighthouse. The success of this structure demonstrated the suitability of using reinforced concrete foundations for lighthouse construction in open waters. It convinced the U.S. Bureau of Lighthouses to adopt this design concept. In addition to its historic character, the light on Brandywine Shoal also meets registration requirements outlined in the Light Stations of the United States multiple property documentation form. It remains in its original location, and the structure's appearance, character and setting are essentially unchanged from its period of significance. This property also continues to serve its original function as an operating Federal aid to navigation.
Local significance of the structure:
Maritime History; Transportation; Architecture; Engineering

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Audiobooks about the history of New Jersey.
The Great Falls of the Passaic River in Paterson, New Jersey, played a key role in the early development of the American industrial revolution. Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States, helped to develop the first water-powered cotton spinning mill in Paterson in 1791.
New Jersey random facts
Cape May County, located in the southernmost part of New Jersey, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was inhabited by the Native American Lenape tribe until the arrival of European settlers. The first European explorer to reach the area was Henry Hudson in 1609, followed by English explorer Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, after whom Cape May is named. Dutch and Swedish settlers established small settlements in the area in the 17th century, but it was the English who eventually gained control of the region.

In the 18th century, Cape May County grew as a center for maritime activities, with a bustling shipbuilding industry and a thriving trade network. The county's strategic location made it a crucial hub for trade between the colonies and the Caribbean, fostering economic growth and attracting new settlers. During the American Revolution, the county played a role in various military actions, including a naval skirmish in the Delaware Bay.

By the mid-19th century, Cape May County had developed into a popular vacation destination. Its pristine beaches and healthy sea air attracted wealthy tourists from urban areas, leading to the construction of grand Victorian-style homes and hotels. Cape May City became a fashionable resort town, known as the "Queen of the Seaside Resorts." The opening of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad in 1854 further bolstered tourism, making the area easily accessible to visitors.

In the 20th century, Cape May County continued to thrive as a tourist destination, while also becoming an important military site. During World War II, the United States Navy established a naval base in the county, which later became a training center for Coast Guard recruits. Today, Cape May County remains a popular tourist spot, with its beautiful beaches, charming Victorian architecture, and rich historical heritage attracting visitors from near and far.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cape May County, New Jersey.

  • 1692 - Cape May County founded as one of New Jersey's original counties.
  • 1702 - West Jersey and East Jersey merged into one royal colony, and Cape May County became part of New Jersey.
  • 1765 - Cape May County officially established and named after Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, a Dutch explorer.
  • 1776 - Cape May County played a role in the American Revolutionary War as British troops occupied the region.
  • 1804 - Cape May Court House became the county's seat of government.
  • 1851 - Cape May City incorporated as a borough.
  • 1857 - Ocean City formed as a Christian seaside resort.
  • 1869 - Avalon and Sea Isle City incorporated as boroughs.
  • 1997 - Cape May County designated as a National Historic Landmark due to its well-preserved Victorian architecture.