The oldest operating lighthouse in the entire United States is standing right here in the Garden State. If you guessed the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, you nailed it. A Piece Of American History Still StandingThe Sandy Hook Lighthouse has been keeping watch over the entrance to New York Harbor since 1764. More than 260 years later, it's still an active navigational aid, making it the oldest operating lighthouse in America. If you've never visited Sandy Hook Lighthouse, add it to your list.