Old Barney serves as an iconic symbol of Long Beach Island, a guiding light for all who step foot onto its shores. All along New Jersey’s coast, lighthouses stand tall, beckoning visitors who appreciate their beauty and just as many who appreciate their history.
During the annual Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey on Oct. 17 and 18, the shore’s beacons welcomed thousands, shining a light on the history behind the emblematic towers and the communities they illuminate.
“It’s something that I feel like we have to preserve because after it’s gone, it’s gone,” Shawn Richards said at Tucker’s Island Light, the re-created lighthouse that resides at the Tuckerton Seaport.
Richards has been participating for 15 years in the challenge, which encourages visits to more than a dozen lighthouses and lifesaving stations in New Jersey and Delaware. He was drawn to the challenge for its focus on the historical significance of the sites, and the annual tradition has ignited a passion for preservation.
“It’s such a cool experience. I try to encourage parents to bring their kids up here to do something before it’s gone,” Richards said.
(Photo by Ryan Morrill)
Richards referenced the East Point Lighthouse in Cumberland County, one of the oldest lighthouses in the state and one that has undergone closures and issues with operation (it recently reopened to the public after being closed for two years). Without the proper support, other sites could go the same route, he said, and it’s important to pass the knowledge onto the next generation.
Richards has a fond memory of completing the challenge the first time around, when he climbed each lighthouse on the list. His favorite is now the Navesink Lighthouse, which offers a view of the New York City skyline.
People flocked to the lighthouses from near and far, with more than 700 people from New Jersey and dozens more from outside the state stopping at the Tuckerton Seaport. Visitors from Texas, Florida, Illinois, Colorado and beyond attempted the challenge, drawn to the shore by the fascinating history and scenery.
History was a central focus of this year’s challenge, which celebrated the country’s semiquincentennial; the Sandy Hook lighthouse was highlighted on the tour, as it was the only one still in existence that was standing during the Revolutionary War. Along the way, participants collected stickers from each site to add to a commemorative booklet containing stories from the Revolution.
For some, the historical aspect is second to the opportunity to share a unique tradition with loved ones. Admiring the view from atop the Tucker’s Island Light, Al Beebe, from Colonia, enjoyed sharing the quest up the coast with his grandson, Lucas Wilkinson from Linden. The duo has taken on the challenge since 2023; Wilkinson said they were inspired after learning about the challenge on a 2022 visit to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse.
ENLIGHTENING: At the Tuckerton Seaport, people came from as far as Colorado and Canada. Courtesy Tuckerton Seaport)
“It’s something fun to do, and it’s now our tradition,” he said.
“We go around and visit all of them – all down the Jersey coast, then up the Delaware coast. It’s nice,” Beebe said.
The pair started in Sandy Hook and was on their seventh stop of the day. in Tuckerton. They’d already stopped by Barnegat Lighthouse for “a long climb up,” Beebe said. Wilkinson loves the trek – his favorite is New Jersey’s tallest, Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City, where they were headed next. The never-ending steps are worth it, Beebe said.
“The best part about it is spending time with my grandson,” he said.
Grandfather Al Beebe and grandson Lucas Wilkinson enjoy the view from atop Tucker’s Island Light at the Tuckerton Seaport during the Lighthouse Challenge.
At Barnegat Lighthouse, more than 400 visitors had already taken on the climb by 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. Some visited solo, and some, such as Michael Colon from Woodbridge recruited the whole family for the challenge.
Colon has done the Lighthouse Challenge every year since 2014 with his wife. Now, he’s encouraged others to join in the fun; his granddaughter completed the challenge for the first time last year, and this year, Colon’s son and his fiancée were on their inaugural journey.
Like many others, Colon was initially drawn to the challenge for the opportunity to learn the history behind the long-standing sites.
“I really enjoy the history of these things, and how old they are. Sandy Hook is almost 100 years old, so I enjoy actually seeing that it’s still there,” Colon said.
Over time, it’s become a way to disconnect from modern life, tune into a bygone era and appreciate the beauty of older, simpler things.
In Barnegat Light, Michael Colon (second from left) shows his family his favorite lighthouse.
“I was just saying I like things a little bit more simple, in this AI world and all that. I’ve just come to take advantage of spending this time with my wife and my family at this point,” Colon said.
Of all the beacons, Old Barney is Colon’s favorite for its classic color combination and old-school allure.
Colleen and John Costanzo from Bayonne were newbies to the challenge. They decided to go just for something different to do, and left surprised and enlightened, having been introduced to history they wouldn’t have otherwise learned.
“Our favorite part so far about doing this has been the connection. We’re getting to see local sites that we normally never would have thought of visiting, living our whole lives as residents of New Jersey,” Colleen said.
