What’s That?

People familiar with Cape May already are well aware of the many World War II structures that were built here to protect the entrance to the Delaware Bay. In 1942, a series of 15 observation towers, designed to direct gunfire, stretched from Wildwood to Bethany Beach.  One of the few remaining towers, Fire Control Tower #23 on Sunset Boulevard is maintained as a museum by Cape May MAC. 

What remains of another tower is pictured above left. This one would have triangulated with #23 and a third tower in Delaware to direct fire from Battery 223 (commonly called the “bunker” today). The tower is embedded within the Grand Hotel on Beach Avenue. Part of the hotel was built around the tower. Today, it’s inaccessible to the public, but it can be seen by looking above the roof of the Grand.