General Meade was an engineer on the Atlantic City Lighthouse on Pacific and Rhode Island Avenue in Atlantic City, NJ. A popular place for weddings and tourists his role is often overlooked.
Nearby in 1854, the Powhatan wrecked, killing 311 passengers and crew members, and causing the Absecon Inlet to be nicknamed Graveyard Inlet. So the Absecon Lighthouse was built in an attempt to prevent another tragedy. It served from 1857 until 1933, and now stands restored.
Work began on the lighthouse in 1856. The surveys and plans for the lighthouse were signed by Lt. George Gordon Meade, who also played a role in the design and construction of Barnegat Lighthouse. Meade was born in Spain (thus could never run for president) grew up in Baltimore and attended West Point. He fought in the Mexican War but is best known for his leadership in Gettysburg during the Civil War.
