A Bird’s Eye Perspective on the History of Old Barney

If you have been to Long Beach Island, there is no doubt that you know of Barnegat Lighthouse—or as the locals call it, Old Barney! Standing tall at 172 feet, this historic lighthouse has been keeping an eye on the sea (and seagulls like me!) for over 160 years. But did you know Old Barney has a pretty incredible story? Buckle up, because we’re about to take a fun trip through time!

A Long Needed Light to Guide the Way

Long before beachgoers, mini-golf, and ice cream cones, LBI was a place where ships had to be extra careful. As many a historian have shared, the waters around Barnegat Inlet were tricky—hidden sandbars, strong currents, and unpredictable weather made sailing here like trying to ride a bike with no hands…on a tightrope…in a storm!

Unfortunately, many ships didn’t make it, leading to many shipwrecks along the coast. The people knew something had to be done, so the government stepped in and in 1834 constructed the first Barnegat Lighthouse to help guide sailors safely. But…there was a small problem. That lighthouse wasn’t very sturdy, and Mother Nature (with a little help from strong ocean waves) knocked it down.

With the help of an engineer, George Gordon Meade, who would later became famous for winning the Battle of Gettysburg. a new and sturdier lighthouse was built. It was completed in 1859—and this one was here to stay! It became one of the most important navigational aids on the East Coast.

Lighting the Way for Sailors and Seagulls!

For many years, Old Barney was the ultimate nightlight for the sea. Its super-powered Fresnel Lens could shine for 22 nautical miles, warning sailors about the tricky waters ahead. Imagine having a flashlight so bright you could see it from another town—that’s how powerful this lighthouse was!

But as time went on, technology, including automated lighting and newer ships using radios and GPS, made the lighthouse obsolete, and sadly by 1927, Old Barney’s big light was turned off. No longer needed for navigation, the lighthouse became more of a historic landmark—a place where people could come to enjoy the views, soak up some LBI history and watch the seagulls fly by.

After more than 80 year in the dark, the lighthouse was relit in 2009! Thanks to modern LED technology, Old Barney is shining once again—just like it did in its glory days.

Climb to the Top!

Today, Old Barney is part of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, and visitors can climb all 217 steps to the very top! It’s a bit of a workout (trust me, flapping my wings up there is easier than walking!), but the view is totally worth it. You can see for miles—boats on the water, playful dolphins, and maybe even me, Shelly the Seagull, soaring by to say hello

Have you climbed to the top of Old Barney? What were you able to see? Send me an email, I’d love to fly by sometime.

Also check out my newest children’s book about all my adventures on LBI.