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A weekly feature that answers reader questions about the people, events, history and news in southern New Jersey.

Q: On a recent trip, we went to Cape May Point, where the lighthouse is and the bunker station out in the ocean was, according to the sign, very historical. ... It was a lookout station during World War II. ... Is the city of Cape May just going to let it rot away? It looks like the piling are eventually going to give way and sink into the ocean.

Mary Johns, Egg Harbor City

Answer Guy:

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts - not the city - is in the process of restoring the lookout tower, also known as Fire Control Tower No. 23.

According to Press of Atlantic City archives: "The tower cost just $24,000 in 1942 dollars, but the MAC is spending $2.4 million to restore it."

The first phase - which had a $1.3 million price tag - restored the spiral staircase inside the 71-foot tower. The tower opened to visitors in March.

Phase one of the restoration also included, according to the MAC's Web site:

•Constructing a wooden walkway from the street to the Tower and a deck around its base

•Replacing missing windows and doors

•Recreating historical details, such as the wooden ladders from World War II

•Outfitting the viewing platform at the top

•Introducing lighting and safety alarms

•Upgrading the parking lot and connecting it with a crosswalk to the Tower

The New Jersey Historic Trust, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs contributed $1.53 million in grants.

The second phase, which will add a visitors center, will get under way when enough funds are raised.

The MAC looked into restoring Battery 223 - perhaps that was what you were seeing? - but decided it was too far gone to save.

Got a question?

If you have a question you would like the Answer Guy to tackle, call 609-569-7489, or mail your question to The Press Answer Guy, The Press of Atlantic City, 11 Devins Lane, Pleasantville, NJ 08232. Questions can be faxed to 609-272-7224. E-mail: answerguy@pressofac.com

If you go

The World War II Lookout Tower is open daily through Nov. 22, and then on weekends through Dec. 20. It will be open daily Dec. 26 through Jan. 3.

3 comments:

• Sandnshoes (10) posts 9:58 am

  Answer Guy: She said, "...out in the ocean..." and "...the pilings are eventually going to give way..." Does that sound like Fire Control Tower No. 23? Try again.

• Mr_Glock (232) posts 10:53 am

  Did the Answer Guy even read the question? Battery 223 was the only thing asked about. Before the beach eroded away many years ago, there was a walkway and stairs to access the fenced in top of the old bunker. It was a wonderful place to watch migrating hawks and marine species of birds. It was also popular with Tautog fishermen who could drop their lines right down into the reef-like concrete below. As the structure lost stability due to the erosion, it was closed to the public and the walkway removed. It's eventual fate will be as Mary Johns suspected - to be claimed by the never ending force of the waves.

• freespeech (66) posts 7:34 am

  Like Rodney Dangerfield would say "give me a little respect." Cape May Point Lighthouse is in LOWER TOWNSHIP, Cape May Lewes Ferry is in LOWER TOWNSHIP. Concrete Ship--LOWER TOWNSHIP. Lobster House and fisheries on Ocean Drive--LOWER TOWNSHIP. Diamond Beach section---LOWER TOWNSHIP. In fact Cape May Point was once Lower Township. Just for the records! Maybe an article by the Press on Lower Township and its impact on Cape May Point, South Cape May, Cape May, and West Cape May. It would be interesting reading.

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