Built in 1875 in the Delaware Bay off Downe Township, New Jersey, Cross Ledge Light served as a caisson-style screwpile lighthouse guiding vessels through the treacherous shoals of the bay. The light was deactivated and eventually replaced by automated navigation aids. Its distinctive iron caisson foundation and Victorian-era construction make it a notable example of offshore lighthouse engineering from the post-Civil War period.

The lighthouse is not open to the public and cannot be climbed, as it sits offshore and is inaccessible by land. The best photography opportunities come from boat tours during golden hour at sunrise or sunset. Nearby attractions include the Bayshore Heritage Byway, Fortescue Beach, and the East Point Lighthouse.

Explore Nearby

• Fortescue — State Park in New Jersey
• First State Heritage Park — State Park in Delaware
• Wooddale Bridge — Covered Bridge in South Carolina
• Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Delaware
• Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Maryland