Navesink Twin Lighthouses
Highlands, NJ

History:
The twin towers of Navesink, sitting 200 feet above sea level, have been guiding navigators through the dangerous waters of northern New Jersey since they were built in 1828. The two different looking light towers, built by Joseph Lederle, have the appearance of chess pieces. The story is that Lederle was a chess fan and since he was building the lighthouse during the Civil War, there wasn't anyone overseeing his designs and building, so he built one tower to resemble two chess pieces, the king and queen. Navesink is also known as the first US lighthouse to use a Fresnel lens. The south tower originally had a first order fresnel and the north tower had a second order fresnel. Neither of the lenses are in the towers anymore, but the first order lens is on display at the lighthouse.

Source: Twin Lights Historical Society

Hours:
Memorial Day through Labor Day: Open daily 10a.m.-5p.m. September through May: Open Wed-Sun 10a.m.-5p.m.

Latitude/Longitude: 40.396266,-73.985743

Nearest Address: Light House Rd, Highlands, NJ

• Take Garden State Parkway to exit 117.
• At exit go onto Route 36. Follow Route 36 for appx. 12 miles.
• Turn right just before the drawbridge then take a right onto Hillside Ave.
• Follow Hillside Ave to Lighthouse Ave (left) then to lighthouse.

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