>> Click to enlarge << Significantly altered, this structure was once ...

What remains of the New Jersey's Ludlum Beach Lighthouse in Sea Isle may soon be demolished if it is not moved.

>> Click to enlarge << The Ludlum Beach Lighthouse, also known as the ...

Several years ago the owner of the property said the old structure would be torn down to make room for new condos. He offered the structure for free to any preservation group that wanted it.

Since then a volunteer lighthouse group has been trying to save it, but now time is running out. The biggest obstacle is finding a location where it can be moved and obtaining the necessary permits.

Established in 1885, the Ludlum Beach Lighthouse can truly be called a moving lighthouse. It saw service until 1923 when a fire heavily damaged the structure. Rather than repair it, the Fresnel lens and lantern room were removed and the property was sold at auction. It was then moved to a new location. At that time a beacon light was placed on a steel pole as a substitute for the old lighthouse. What remained of the old structure was then restored and served as a private residence. In the 1940s the building was sold and moved again. It still served as a private residence.

This story appeared in the October 2009 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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