| Barnegat Light's most famous inhabitant
is "Old Barney", the red and white-banded Barnegat Lighthouse
situated at the northern tip of Long Beach Island. This 172 foot tall
structure, designed by General George Meade and commissioned January
1, 1859, is the second tallest lighthouse in the United States. Although
the tower's light was "snuffed out" in 1944, "Old Barney"
still attracts thousands of visitors every summer to Barnegat Lighthouse
State Park.
Besides being home to Barnegat Lighthouse, one of the last remaining
tracts of maritime forest on Long Beach Island is also located in the
park. Birdwatchers can view some diverse species of our "feathered
friends", as the park is a key resting and feeding ground for birds
migrating to and from their breeding areas.
Barnegat Light is a small, quiet borough of about 1100 residences,
inhabited by retirees and former "Long Beach Islanders", who
now maintain summer homes there. |
