World War II Lookout Tower: A Sentinel of the Coast

Located on Sunset Boulevard in Cape May, New Jersey, the World War II Lookout Tower, also known as Fire Control Tower No. 23, is the last remaining restorable World War II tower in the state. Constructed in 1942 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the tower was a key component of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware system, known as Fort Miles. This immense defense system included multiple fire control towers, gun batteries, barracks, and support buildings strategically positioned on both sides of the Delaware Bay. The tower's design, executed by the Army Corps of Engineers, involved a sliding tube-shaped form that allowed for rapid construction, taking only two and a half days to complete. Standing 71 feet tall with a 17-foot diameter, the six-level tower was equipped with azimuth instruments, telescope-like devices used to triangulate the positions of German vessels. Soldiers stationed in the tower scanned the ocean and bay for enemy warships and submarines, transmitting information to Battery 223, located along the shore at Cape May Point State Park. Although Battery 223 never fired at an enemy, it played a vital role in coastal defense. After being decommissioned in 1944 and later acquired by the Navy, the tower was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. In 2004, the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (now Cape May MAC) signed a 20-year lease and restored the tower, opening it to the public in 2009. Today, visitors can climb the tower, explore exhibits, and learn about the history of Cape May during World War II. The site also features the All Veterans Memorial, with an eternal flame and benches for contemplation. The tower is located near Sunset Beach, where the visible wreck of the SS Atlantus can be seen.