The 170 ft. tall lighthouse was built in 1857-59. The tower consists of a double brick wall construction, and rests on a 12 ft deep pyramidal stone foundation. The first official light at Cape May was built in 1823, although maps & reports as early as 1744 refer to 'flash lights' or 'lighthouses' established by the British. Foundation remains from an earlier 1847 tower can still be seen at low tide.
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The lightstation has undergone an extensive 10 year long restoration plan, started in 1987, and is in beautiful condition today. The property includes one of the four keeper's residences from 1860 and brick oil house from 1893 (now a visitor's center & gift shop). The original 1st order Fresnel lens was replaced with a 36 inch rotating aerobeacon in 1946. The tower is open to the public for climbing.
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