The lighthouse was constructed by the United States government after a number of tragic shipwrecks in the vicinity of Absecon Beach were attributed to lack of navigational signals. The beam is higher above sea level than any other light on the New Jersey Coast except the Twin Highland's Lights. The tower is circular and rises to a height of 171 feet above city grade. It has 3 major levels: the ground floor, the storage room beneath the lens and the lens chamber itself. The stone foundations are approximately 8' deep.

Inside an iron newel staircase (spiral) extends from the ground floor to the storage room and is interrupted by landings every 20 feet. A narrow winder stair provides access to the lens chamber. The storage room floor and exterior catwalk are supported by a band of 10 large stone brackets and the narrow interior and exterior catwalks of the lens chamber are supported by a band of 12 small iron brackets. Iron mullions secure the rectangular glass panes enclosing the lens chamber and also serve structurally to support the metal, 12-panel, pyramidal roof. The lighthouse lens is classified as a "Fresnel Lens of the first order," and is 6 feet in diameter at the focal plane, tapering 2 feet in diameter at the top. A 12-inch vent stack extends from the top of the lens through the peak of the roof. The original mineral oil lamp was mounted on a circular platform at the center of the lens.

This was the second lighthouse in Buffalo. Its picture is included in the seal of the city of Buffalo symbolizing the city's tradition as an important port on the Great Lakes. It now serves as a historical monument. The photo above dates from 1859.

Highland Light, built in 1857 is the successor to the first lighthouse built in 1797, and is the oldest and tallest lighthouse on Cape Cod. Up to 1931 it burned oil, now with electricity installed it burns a single 1000 watt bulb of 2500 candle power. The huge bulls eye lenses stretch this out. It can be seen for twenty miles under normal conditions.