One of our favorite things about being a Long Beach Island builder for nearly three decades is being able to learn about, and share with our homeowners, the history of LBI. One of the most iconic locations on LBI is the Barnegat Light House, or “Old Barney”, which is a piece of LBI history close to home. Even though the custom homes we build on LBI with their private balconies and large picturesque windows capture the stunning views around the island, no matter how hard we try, there is no match for the views from the Barnegat Lighthouse! Here’s some of the history and details surrounding Old Barney we thought you might find interesting.
Reconstructed in 1859, Old Barney offers breathtaking, panoramic views of Barnegat Bay, Island Beach, and LBI. With just 217 steps between yourself and the amazing view from the top of the lighthouse, Old Barney stands at 163 feet tall. Despite popular belief, Old Barney is not the tallest lighthouse on the Jersey Shore, but the beacon continues to illuminate the inlet and signal from its place a mere fifty feet from the water. Though the current tower is not the original lighthouse as designed and constructed in 1834, Old Barney has stolen the heart of our community with continued efforts to preserve and operate it. While the lighthouse was inactive for many years due to World War II and its haphazard conditions as erosion and coastal flooding threatened the integrity of the lighthouse, residents were able to raise funds to save the lighthouse which would be relit and remain active to this day on January 1, 2009, 150 years after its construction. Through its many trials, Barnegat Lighthouse continues to welcome visitors to its beacon and panoramic views. To read the full history of Barnegat Lighthouse, visit LighthouseFriends.com or the NJ State Parks website to immerse yourself in a piece of LBI maritime history.
Whether you’ve fallen in love with the history and culture of Barnegat Bay or are looking toward a different LBI community to build your custom dream home, Stonehenge Building & Development offers the knowledge, expertise, and guidance to help you through every step of the home building process. Visit us at StonehengeBuilt.com to learn more or contact us to get started on your LBI custom home today so you can enjoy the view of the Island from your very own piece of LBI.