I love the sea. I love lighthouses because they are always in beautiful locations near the sea. I love the history, the story, behind every lighthouse and I love the beautiful unique architecture of each lighthouse.
I also love lighthouses for what they stand for; they’re beacons of light, guides to a safe haven. Their brilliant lights have guided lost ships out of harm’s way for centuries. And as a Christian, that image has had great significance to me. Many times this soul has lost her way in the darkness or felt helplessly tossed about by life’s storms, but there has always been a guiding light illuminating a safe and secure path into sanctuary, into hope, into love.
The beautiful fresnel lens in this picture resides at Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. Built in 1764, the lighthouse is located in New Jersey. Originally called the New York Lighthouse, it’s main purpose was to guide ships into New York Harbor.
This is my favorite story about the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Early during the Revolutionary War, New York Congress decided that the lighthouse or the lighting apparatus should be destroyed “lest it fall into enemy hands.” Rather than destroying the lighthouse, they attempted to “render the lighthouse entirely useless” but then three months later, the British captured the lighthouse and repaired it. Then an attack was led by Benjamin Tupper to destroy the lighthouse with cannon fire, but after an hour of volleys, he “found the walls so firm that the cannon fire could make no impression.” The British occupied the lighthouse for most of the war. This is a lighthouse that has stood the test of time.
This post is a response to the Weekly Photo Challenge: Sea
To find out more about Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Gateway National Reacreation Area, click here.
Part of the story was taken from: http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=378
August 31, 2013 at 1:23 am
What’s the story of Sandy Hook Lighthouse?
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August 31, 2013 at 2:02 am
I decided to edit my post to include another picture and my favorite story about the lighthouse. Thanks for the inspiration!
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August 31, 2013 at 2:09 am
like this part:
“I also love lighthouses for what they stand for; they’re beacons of light, guides to a safe haven. Their brilliant lights have guided lost ships out of harm’s way for centuries. And as a Christian, that image has had great significance to me. Many times this soul has lost her way in the darkness or felt helplessly tossed about by life’s storms, but there has always been a guiding light illuminating a safe and secure path into sanctuary, into hope, into love.”
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August 31, 2013 at 8:08 am
Thanks Joy!
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August 31, 2013 at 4:25 am
I love lighthouses! Beautiful!
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August 31, 2013 at 8:08 am
Thanks Delana. I’m glad you like it.
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September 1, 2013 at 3:19 am
That’s a wonderful story! And a really beautiful lighthouse! Great response to the challenge!
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September 3, 2013 at 9:10 am
Thank you Dear!
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September 5, 2013 at 8:59 am
I love that first shot.
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September 8, 2013 at 12:18 am
Great story and image. I remember going to Sandy Hook on school trips as a kid. I always found it such a fascinating place. Thanks for bringing back the memories.
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September 8, 2013 at 12:23 am
Thanks! Do you still live in Jersey? It is definitely worth a trip!
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September 10, 2013 at 10:10 am
I was a Jersey girl myself and have been there many times. Thanks for the memory 🙂
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September 10, 2013 at 5:27 pm
You’re welcome! Thanks for the visit! 🙂
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September 10, 2013 at 5:55 pm
I always enjoy finding out about a new lighthouse.
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September 10, 2013 at 7:43 pm
Me too! Thanks for stopping by!
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September 17, 2013 at 1:42 am
i know this place from one of western movie 🙂 unfortunetly i forgot the movie title 🙂 . Nice place, nice pic 🙂
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September 19, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Thank you! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
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September 20, 2013 at 10:51 am
Enjoyed your observations. You probably already know about this but next month is the LIghthouse Challenge. You should go: http://www.lighthousechallengenj.org
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September 20, 2013 at 10:59 am
Thank you! Yes, I have (partially) participated in the Lighthouse challenges in past but we will not be able to participate this year because a school event during that weekend. Thanks for the link and stopping by my blog!
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September 28, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Lighthouses and their enduring histories make interesting reading…. i enjoyed your post. Here in the Cape our Kommetjie lighthouse built in the late 1800’s was also equipped with Fresnel lenses. Clever design.
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September 28, 2013 at 9:35 pm
Thanks Liz for stopping by and commenting. Have you ever taken pictures of Kommetjie lighthouse? I would love to see them.
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