The Navasink Twins
by Skip Willits
Title
The Navasink Twins
Artist
Skip Willits
Medium
Photograph - Epson Lustre Paper
Description
THE TWIN LIGHTS IN HIGHLANDS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
HIGHLANDS, NJ
The original lights at Navesink in Middletown were part of an early warning system for Monmouth County and New York. If more than five vessels approached, they were deemed to be hostile and the alarm was sounded by lighting the light. In 1900, Navesink in Middletown became the town of Highlands and the lighthouse became known as The Twin Lights in Highlands, NJ.
The current brownstone towers, 64 feet high and 320 feet apart, were built in 1862 and separated by an 18 room keepers dwelling. The north tower is octagonal and was taken out of service in 1898, but held in reserve should something happen to the square south tower. The first, first order fresnel lens was installed in this lighthouse in 1841 at the direction of Commodore Perry. In 1898, the fresnel was replaced with a bivalve lens, which was built in France and displayed at the Chicago World�s Fair. An electric plant was built behind the south tower, and the 25 million-candle power light could be seen as far as 22 miles at sea.
Uploaded
August 18th, 2014
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