History
The East Point Lighthouse was built in 1849 at the
mouth of
the
Maurice River. For many years it was known as the
Maurice River
Lighthouse. The lighthouse site was deeded to the U.S.
Government by
Joshua Brick for the sum of $250. The lighthouse became
operational on
or about September 10, 1849. William W. Yarrington was
the first
appointed keeper and was paid an annual salary of $350.
He was
replaced, in a little over two weeks, by Francis
Elberson. The last
keeper was Linwood Spicer, who took the oath of office
on December 12,
1905. When the lighthouse was automated Spicer was
transferred to the
Christiana Lighthouse in Wilmington Delaware. After the
lighthouse was
automated custodians were appointed to maintain the
light. In exchange
for maintaining the light, the custodians were allowed
to live in the
lighthouse rent free, and were paid the princely sum of
$1.00 per year
for their services. The last custodian was Gus Eulitz.
The lighthouse was blacked out during World War II.
After the
war
the Coast Guard decided the lighthouse was no longer
necessary, and in
December, 1941 it was decommissioned. With no keepers or
custodians to
maintain the lighthouse, deterioration quickly set in.
By 1955, the Federal Government decided to sell the
lighthouse
and
property as surplus and it was purchased by a Long
Island construction
company, but before the sale was consumated it was found
that proper
disposal procedures were not followed in that the
lighthouse was not
first offered to the State of New Jersey. The state was
interested in
the property not because of the lighthouse but because
the site was
surrounded by the Heislerville Wildlife Refuge and would
provide a
place for boats to be launched.
Local residents became concerned with the condition of
the
lighthouse, and in February, 1971, the Maurice River
Historical Society
was founded with the goal of restoring the lighthouse.
In July 1971,
before negiotations with the state were complete, the
lighthouse was
set on fire. The lantern room, roof and most of the
buildings interior
were destroyed.
Over the years, through its own efforts and Federal
Transportation
Enhancement Act and New Jersey Historic Trust grants, a
new lantern and
roof have been put on the lighthouse. The bricks have
been repointed
and shutters and windows have been installed. Now that
the building is
weathertight, restoration efforts can begin on the
interior of the
lighthouse.
The lighthouse is open to the public on the 3rd Sunday
of the
month
from April to October from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The
Maurice River
Historical Society's Annual Open House is Saturday
September 18 2010
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with craft vendors, music
food and
artists. The lighthouse will be open then.The lighthouse
is also open
the 1st Saturday in June from
12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. for Bay Day.
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