History
It was built by Isaac Cunro in 1764 in order to help guide mariners to the southern end of the New York Harbor. It was funded by the taxes placed on every ship entering the Port of New York.
After the American Revolution and the implementation of the Constitution, the ownership of the lighthouse was transferred to the newly established American government.
Current Activity
Sandy Hook Lighthouse continues to retain a sense of relevance beyond its utility as a lighthouse. It was featured in a 1990 postage stamp and was shown in the final episode of the soap opera Guiding Lights. It is also incorporated into the Gateway National Recreation Area of the Fort Hancock Historic District.
Sources
- King of Hearts. \”Sandy Hook Lighthouse October 2020 002.\” Wikipedia. 2020. CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes include cropping and placing image between New Jersey image frame.
- Kristen. \”The Oldest Working Lighthouse In America Is Right Here In New Jersey And It’s Amazing.\” Only In Your State. 2017.