Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Has Graced Wildwood Since 1874

Galloway residents will travel a bit further down the coast to our next lighthouse destination, specifically to Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, 154 N. Central Avenue in North Wildwood.

There are nine land-based lighthouses open to the public in New Jersey. A visit to all of them is recommended by the New Jersey Lighthouse Society.

For the truly adventurous there are an estimated 700 lighthouses throughout the United States, but that trip would, no doubt, require a lifetime of travel to achieve.

Hereford Inlet Lighthouse began operating on May 11, 1874 to help keep mariners safe when they sailed along the New Jersey coast. Ownership of the light passed to various organizations over the years until 1964 when it was closed to the public and began deteriorating.

Eighteen years passed and then the facility became the property of North Wildwood in 1982.

Hundreds of concerned people donated their money, time and effort to re-open the lighthouse, and it was partially restored and came to life again in 1983.

Through the efforts of those involved, an automated light was installed in 1986, and the authentic restoration began in 1998.

The lighthouse is listed today on the National and State Historic Registers, and it’s also part of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail.

A visit to the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse today is even more enjoyable because of the park and gardens that surround the facility, with over 200 varieties of plants on display in-season, and the gift shop that features nautical themed gifts and many other things suitable to commemorate your visit.

The park and gardens are wheelchair accessible.

From mid-May to mid-October, the lighthouse is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last tour tickets are sold for the 4 p.m. tour.

From mid-October to mid-May, the lighthouse is open five days a week, and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

There is no charge to tour the park, gardens and gift shop.                                                                  

To tour the light, cost for adults 12 years old and up is $4, and $1 for children 11 and under. There is no charge for members of the Friends of the Hereford Lighthouse, members of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society, and active duty members of the U.S. Coastguard.

It should be noted that Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is a working lighthouse as well as a museum. It’s available for school trips, senior groups and tour buses. There are special rates available for groups of 30 or larger.

For information, call 609-522-4520, or visit them online at herefordlighthouse.org.