Designed and built in 1764 by Isaac Conro, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse is considered the oldest light tower in the U.S. that remains standing up to this day. The Lighthouse was relocated to National Park Service from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1997, and until today, it remains in operation, actively aiding vessels with its 3rd*order Fresnel lens.
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The first time it was built, the tower only stood 500 feet, but due to its growth as a result of littoral drift, it seems as if it?s 2.4 kilometers from the tip. The tower was initially known as New York Lighthouse since its construction and operation was funded by a New York Assembly lottery. During the Revolutionary War, the Sandy Hook Light was almost destroyed when Benjamin Tupper attempted to use it to aid the British Navigation.
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In 2000, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse was restored and is now a part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.