The Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark is located in the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. In fact, it includes the entire Sandy Hook peninsula.

Since colonial days, ships entered New York Harbor through the Sandy Hook Channel, just off the tip of the Hook. In 1764, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse was built to assist navigation. The Hook served British and Loyalist forces during the American Revolution. Off and on through the nation's history, forts were built at the Hook to defend New York Harbor. Fort Hancock was commissioned in 1898, serving as a strategic miltary location through two world wars and into the nuclear age, when Nike missiles could be fired from the shore.

When Congress established Gateway in 1972, it included Sandy Hook even though the fort was still active. Its last day of operation was December 31, 1974. The park's enabling legislation specifically charged the National Park Service with preservation of Sandy Hook's historic structures.

These reports focus on Fort Hancock history as a whole. If you do not find what you're looking for here, check the Real Property tab for more reports about Fort Hancock buildings and landscape.

Background

Map of Sandy Hook

A History of the Sandy Hook Proving Ground

1944 Army History of New York-Philadelphia Coastal Artillery

1944 Harbor Defenses Project of New York Annexes Part 1

1944 Harbor Defenses Project of New York Annexes Part 2

Fort Hancock Sign Plan (2002)

Official Records

Finding of No Significant Impact: The document demonstrating analysis and compliance required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for adaptive reuse of Fort Hancock.

Department of Transportation Volpe Center Sandy Hook Alternative Access Concept Plan and Vehicle Replacement Study

Department of Transportation Volpe Center Traveler Information System Study

Travel and Transportation at Highlands and Highland Beach, New Jersey: A report by the New Jersey Department of Transportation describing the development of travel and transportation infrastructure in the vicinity of Sandy Hook.

Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District National Historic Landmark Nomination Form: A more recent NHPA nomination form encompassing all of Sandy Hook from the entrance to the tip including USCG managed land.

Fort Hancock Historic District Nomination Form: Document authored by the National Park Service nominating the Fort Hancock Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places, map and accompanying photos.

Sandy Hook Light Historic Landmark Nomination Form