By John Spinelli
MIDDLETOWN – Nature offered a picturesque backdrop across Sandy Hook Bay as a part of Middletown’s history was brought back to life.
At a rededication ceremony Tuesday, March 12, Mayor Tony Perry and the township committee unveiled the newly restored 168-year-old Conover Beacon lighthouse. Conover Beacon, located on Leonardo Beach, along with Chapel Hill Rear Range Lighthouse about a mile and a half south (now on private property), served as the markers for Chapel Hill Channel for nearly a hundred years.
“This year, Middletown turns 360 years old. Just looking from this beacon you can directly see Sandy Hook lighthouse across the bay. It shows this community has so much history and plenty of stories to tell,” Perry said.
The first Conover Beacon was a wooden structure built in 1856 and funded by Congress. It was named after the former property owner, Rulif Conover. The original foundation still exists today. The current 45-foot metal structure, erected in 1941, was officially used until its decommissioning in 1957. From that point until 1988, the lighthouse was maintained and lit by a lightkeeper.
Now is the first time a light will shine from the structure in 36 years.
The restoration project began in 2022; at that point the lighthouse had suffered decades of erosion from the elements. “Just three years ago, that center structure beam was almost fully deteriorated and the stairs were unsafe,” Perry said. “Now it’s completely safe to walk to the top.”
Perry thanked those who worked on the project, including Eric Maggio from Clean Communities, township engineer Ted Maloney, public works and parks department members and many contractors.
“I also want to thank you, residents, too, who didn’t stop bringing this issue to my desk,” Perry joked to the crowd.
One major difference between the old Conover Beacon and the restored version is its light.
Township administrator Tony Mercantante explained how, since the lighthouse is decommissioned, the township had to install a green light instead of a clear one per Coast Guard regulations.
“It’s a big deal having this beacon on our shoreline. And it’s awesome to see it back fully restored. Today was a great day for Leonardo,” said Deputy Mayor Rick Hibell, who lives a few blocks from the landmark.
“My mom grew up here in Leonardo as well. We would always come to swim at this beach when I was a kid, and today, we were amazed by this large turnout” to witness the lighthouse’s rededication, he said.
“The first stories of America were here on the banks of Sandy Hook and Middletown,” said Perry.
“It’s in our blood here in Middletown, to fight to preserve our history.”
The article originally appeared in the March 14 –March 20, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
