Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District facts for kids
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Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District
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 Location in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sandy Hook, New Jersey |
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| Area | 4,584 acres (1,855 ha) |
| Built | 1859 |
| Built by | United States Army |
| NRHP reference No. | 80002505 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 24, 1980 |
| Designated NHLD | December 17, 1982 |
Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District is a really important historical site in New Jersey. It's found on a narrow piece of land called Sandy Hook, which is part of Middletown Township. This special area includes two main parts: Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground.
This entire district is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a place that has played a big role in American history. It's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it's part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service.
Testing Big Guns at Sandy Hook
The Sandy Hook Proving Ground was created in 1874. Its main job was to test and develop new artillery, which are basically very large guns. This site was active until 1918 or 1919. During this time, the United States was becoming a powerful country in the world.
The weapons tested here were used for two main purposes. Some were deployed as coastal defenses, protecting shorelines in other parts of the U.S. Others were used by the United States Army in battles. You can still see some of the buildings from this period. These include places where guns were tested, storage areas for ammunition, and observation spots.
Besides the proving ground, Sandy Hook also has other cool historical spots. There's an early life-saving station. This was built by the United States Life-Saving Service, which later became the United States Coast Guard. You can also find the Sandy Hook Light, a lighthouse built in 1764. It's the oldest working lighthouse in the entire country!
Fort Hancock: Protecting New York Harbor
Fort Hancock is the name given to the series of defenses built at Sandy Hook. Because Sandy Hook is right at the entrance to New York Harbor, it has always been important for military protection. Different defense structures have been built here over many years.
Most of the buildings you see today at Fort Hancock were built starting in the 1890s. This time is known as the Endicott Period. That's when the area officially got the name Fort Hancock. Before that, during the American Civil War, there was another fort here. Only one part of that older fort, called a bastion, still remains.
The Civil War-era fort was finished in 1868. But by the 1890s, it was considered old-fashioned. Most of it was torn down so its stone could be used again. While many structures at Fort Hancock are from before World War II, there's also a Nike missile site from the 1950s. This site was part of the defenses during the Cold War.
