Long before telegraphs, radios, or cell phones, New Jersey’s mountaintops carried messages by fire. During the Revolutionary War, General William Livingston and Brigadier General William Alexander—better known as Lord Stirling—relied on a chain of signal beacons stretching across the Watchung Mountains and beyond to warn of British troop movements and summon militia. From heights such as Middlebrook, Hobart Gap, Pigeon’s Hill, High Mountain, and the Ramapo region, these beacon fires formed an early communication network that helped defend New Jersey and protect George Washington’s army.
Reigniting New Jersey’s Revolutionary signal beacons offers far more than a single moment of remembrance. Each beacon site could become the centerpiece of a daylong community celebration featuring historical lectures, living-history encampments, militia and fife-and-drum reenactments, colonial crafts, family picnics, food vendors, and activities that bring the Revolutionary era to life. Local historical societies, scouts, veterans groups, and civic organizations could work together to create gatherings that connect communities with their heritage. As evening approaches and visitors gather on the mountaintops and historic high places, the festivities would culminate with the lighting of the signal beacon bonfires, recreating the chain of flames that once warned and united New Jersey during the Revolution and symbolically linking generations as America marks its 250th anniversary.
1983 – Signal Beacon Fires Across New Jersey
By April 1783, signal fire beacons no longer signaled British danger. Instead, these iconic towers became “fires of joy,” celebrating news that hostilities with Great Britain had ceased and peace had finally arrived after eight long years of war. Two hundred years later, New Jersey came together to honor the bicentennial of Lord Stirling’s signal beacon efforts.
Fast forward 200 years, and a driving force behind a statewide beacon-fire recreation effort was Bert (Elbertus) Prol, Ringwood Manor historian and curator, who organized communities throughout New Jersey and New York to participate in a coordinated commemoration of the April 1783 cessation of hostilities. Working closely with Revolutionary War historian James T. Raleigh, extensive research helped identify historic beacon sites and guide the construction of authentic replicas throughout New Jersey and New York.
Beacon sites stretched from New York through northern New Jersey to Monmouth County. Participating communities included Ringwood, Wayne, Oakland, Pompton Lakes, Kinnelon, Parsippany, Morristown, Summit, Holmdel, Sea Girt, and several locations in New York.
| Beacon Site | Municipality | County | Organization / Group Responsible |
| Morris County Police & Fire Academy (West Hanover Ave.) | Parsippany-Troy Hills | Morris | Morris County Historical Society, Boy Scout troops, and volunteers |
| Briant Park | Springfield–Summit border | Union | Local historical organizations, Boy Scout troops, and volunteers |
| High Mountain | Wayne | Passaic | Local historical organizations, Boy Scout troops, and volunteers |
| Skyline Drive | Ringwood | Passaic | Ringwood Manor Historic Site Committee led by curator Elbertus Prol, with volunteers |
| Route 34 and Route 520 | Holmdel | Monmouth | Local historical organizations, Boy Scout troops, and volunteers |
| Kakeout Mountain | Kinnelon | Morris | Morris County volunteers and historical organizations |
| Federal Hill | Pompton Lakes | Passaic | Local historical organizations and volunteers |
| Ramapo Mountain | Oakland | Bergen | Local historical organizations and volunteers |
| Garret Mountain | Paterson | Passaic | Local historical organizations and volunteers |
| State Police Training Academy | Sea Girt | Monmouth | New Jersey State Police |
| Six beacon sites | Orange County, NY | New York | Local New York historical organizations |
| Six beacon sites | Rockland County, NY | New York | Local New York historical organizations |
| Six beacon sites | Dutchess County, NY | New York | Local New York historical organizations |
The effort also brought together Historical societies, Boy Scout troops, Park commissions, Municipal governments, Reenactors and artillery units, local historians, and Community volunteers. Scouts played a major role. Eagle Scout projects helped build replicas at Ringwood Manor and Garrett Mountain. Hundreds of volunteer hours went into constructing the log pyramids that once again illuminated New Jersey’s skies.
Burning the Beacons Celebration – April 15, 1983
The statewide lighting of New Jersey’s Revolutionary signal beacons was deliberately scheduled for Friday evening, April 15, 1983, allowing communities, historical organizations, and volunteers to participate after the workweek and creating a dramatic kickoff to weekend commemorative activities.
Finally, after months of planning, preparation, and construction, communities across New Jersey gathered on the evening of Friday, April 15, 1983, as darkness approached. Washington’s proclamation announcing the cessation of hostilities was read aloud. Fifes and drums filled the air, artillery companies fired salutes, and reenactors dressed in Continental uniforms stood watch.
Then, one by one, the signal beacons burst into flames. As night descended across the state, beacon fires illuminated hilltops and historic sites, recreating the chain of warning signals that had once protected Revolutionary New Jersey and marking the opening of the state’s Bicentennial observances with a dramatic and unforgettable tribute to America’s founding.
At Ringwood Manor, dignitaries representing England, France, and Spain joined the celebration. In Morris County, the Morris County Historical Society recreated the Pigeon’s Hill beacon. Throughout the state, citizens witnessed towering flames, some reaching more than fifty feet high, recreating the “fires of joy” first lit two centuries earlier.
Newspapers across New Jersey documented the effort, and television crews covered the celebration. Despite weather concerns and a few challenges, the event became one of the most ambitious statewide historical commemorations ever undertaken in New Jersey.
America 250:
An Effort is Brewing to Build and Light Signal Beacons Again
As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence, there is an opportunity to once again bring New Jersey together. The Mr. Local History Project is attempting to bring New Jersey together to gather groups that will transform signals of war into Fires of Joy that bring communities together, honor history and remember our America 250 spirit.
The objective is simple:
Recreate the 1983 effort and relight the Revolutionary War signal beacons across New Jersey to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the news of peace across New Jersey and America!
Like the volunteers who came before us, the effort would seek to unite:
- Historical societies
- Scouts BSA troops
- State and county parks
- Living history organizations
- Artillery companies
- Veterans groups
- Schools
- Civic organizations
- Local communities
It seems that some county and state officials don’t believe such an effort is feasable. And we think they are wrong.
We are currently looking to historical organizations and societies that may have project files of the previous Signal Beacon projects held in 1980 and 1983. If you know of any photos, videos, files, or plans, we’d love to connect.
More than just a series of bonfires, the event would celebrate New Jersey’s central role in the Revolution and remind a new generation of the communication system that once protected Washington’s army and connected communities across the state.
Interested in Participating?
The Mr. Local History Project is exploring the possibility of coordinating a statewide effort to recreate the 1983 signal beacon celebration for America 250. Historical organizations, Scout troops, reenactors, artillery units, municipalities, schools, and volunteers interested in participating are encouraged to contact us.
Together, we can ensure that New Jersey’s Revolutionary fires shine once again.
Contact:
Mr. Local History Project
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