The public is invited to join the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the historic Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and English Gardens on Saturday, May 11 from 10 am to 4 pm.

(Search All North Wildwood Listings Here!)

On May 11, exactly 150 years ago, the historic lighthouse was first illuminated. This year's anniversary festivities will feature a presentation on Augustine Fresnel, the designer of the lighthouse's inaugural lens. Other attractions include guest speakers, a birthday cake, auctions, vendors and more. 

?

(A happy crowd gathers at the Lighthouse for a special occasion, circa 1900)

Admission is free, and donations are encouraged to support this significant milestone.

Built in 1874, the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is the oldest structure in the Wildwoods. The lighthouse was constructed as a beacon of safety for ships. By marking the mouth of the inlet, it has helped to prevent shipwrecks as shipping vessel traffic increased in the inlet over the years. Functioning as a vital safety beacon for ships, the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse was strategically erected to mark the mouth of the inlet.

Congress approved $25,000 for the light on June 10, 1872, and just over a year later a one-and-a-half-acre site on a dune overlooking the inlet was purchased from Humphrey S. Cresse for $150. Lt. Col. William F. Raynolds of the Army Corps of Engineers contracted with Hurst & Marshall of Philadelphia on October 8, 1873 “to furnish the materials and labor necessary to completely construct and deliver (except the lantern, the parapet, the glass for the lantern, the lens, lamps, & furniture belonging thereto) a 4th Order Light House at Hereford Inlet,” for the sum of $14,740.93. According to the contract, Hurst & Marshall would forfeit $10 for each day of delay beyond the target completion date of July 30, 1874. The motivated contractors completed the lighthouse on April 16, 1874, well before the deadline.

A “Notice to Mariners” announced the activation of the light on May 11, 1874, stating: “The tower height is 49 ½ feet with the light elevation rising to 57 feet above sea level. The light is visible at a distance of at least 13 nautical miles.”

The lighthouse’s “Carpenter Gothic” or “Stick-Style” design was the work of Paul J. Pelz, the Lighthouse Board’s Chief Draftsman, who was also responsible for St. Augustine Lighthouse and the impressive Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is quite similar to California’s Point Fermin Lighthouse and East Brother Lighthouse, also designed by Pelz, and boasting five fireplaces, provided comfortable accommodations for the keeper and his family.

The lighthouse is located at 111 North Central Avenue in North Wildwood, and is open to the public from May to December. Visitors to the lighthouse will learn about the history of the building and local area. The lighthouse grounds are a great place to relax, take in the ocean air and stroll the gardens, which are densely landscaped with many varieties of plant life, including Hollyhocks, Nicotiana, Nasturtium, Snapdragons and Foxgloves.

Decorated with arbors, fences, birdbaths, urns and clay pots, the gardens extend up to the seawall at Hereford Inlet. 

For additional information please email info@herefordinletlighthouse.com or visit www.herefordinletlighthouse.com.

For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.

?