Hereford Inlet, a break in the barrier islands along the east side of Cape May, New Jersey, was used by whalers as far back as the 17th century. Shifting sands and a strong current made the inlet dangerous for mariners. As coastal shipping and the use of the inlet increased, funds for a lighthouse were appropriated in 1872. A wood frame combined keeper’s house and lighthouse began service in 1874. The beautiful Victorian design was the work of the Lighthouse Board’s chief draftsman, architect Paul J. Pelz.
After automation, the building was neglected and boarded up for nearly 20 years. Then, in 1982, the lighthouse property was leased to the City of North Wildwood, and it was restored in the years that followed. Today the lighthouse is managed by the City of North Wildwood’s Historical Commission. Our guest today, W. Scott Jett, is the city historian and the city clerk for the city of North Wildwood, and he’s the chairman of the Historical Commission.
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Jeremy D’Entremont is the author of more than 20 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He is the president and historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation and founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and he has lectured and narrated cruises throughout the Northeast and in other regions. He is also the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society podcast, “Light Hearted.” He can be emailed at Jeremy@uslhs.org