If you’re cruising through South Jersey and stumble upon a little league game in Paulsboro, you might blink twice when you see a lighthouse towering over the outfield. Yep, that’s right—a lighthouse smack dab in the middle of a softball field. Welcome to one of New Jersey’s quirkiest landmarks: the Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse.
This oddball lighthouse stands tall in a park surrounded by little league fields, giving a whole new meaning to “lighting up the field.” The lighthouse, with its skeleton-like metal frame, looks like it’s ready to guide ships rather than pop flies, but here it is, keeping watch over home runs and sliding catches. It’s definitely not your typical sports venue, but it’s become a beloved part of the community.
If you visit during the season (April through October), you can even climb to the top on select weekends, thanks to the hardworking volunteers who maintain it. From up there, you’ll get a sweeping view of the area, including flights taking off and landing at Philadelphia International Airport.
Tinicum Island Rear Range Lighthouse, located smack in the middle of a little league field. This lighthouse, which dates back to 1880, stands 85 feet tall and is part of a range light system that helps guide ships along the Delaware River, south of Philadelphia.
Built from iron with a hexagonal skeletal frame, the lighthouse originally helped sailors avoid hazards by aligning it with its partner light, the Tinicum Front Range Light. Mariners knew they were safely in the channel when the two lights lined up perfectly. Though automated by the Coast Guard in 1933, it’s still active today for navigational purposes.
The lighthouse once had a keeper’s house and various outbuildings, but those structures were demolished in the 1950s. What remains, however, is a fascinating piece of history that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
While it may seem strange that a lighthouse is surrounded by baseball fields, it’s become a quirky attraction. Visitors can climb its 112-step spiral staircase on weekends from April through October, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding area, including Philadelphia International Airport.
So if you’re in South Jersey and want a unique mix of sports and maritime history, Paulsboro’s Softball Field Lighthouse is a must-see!