Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District

Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District is a military complex on the Sandy Hook peninsula featuring concrete gun batteries, barracks, and defensive structures built across different time periods. These buildings represent various phases of American coastal defense and show how fortification methods changed over generations.

The United States Army established the Sandy Hook Proving Ground in 1874 for artillery testing and contributed to military technology development until 1919. The site underwent several transformations and later served as an important defense location during different conflicts.

The district preserves multiple architectural elements from different military periods, including Civil War fortifications and Cold War Nike missile installations.

Access to the site is through guided tours that take visitors through military buildings and gun positions. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for exposure to wind and weather, as the area is open and sprawling.

The site contains the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, a tower from 1764 that ranks among the nation's oldest operating lighthouses. British forces used it as an observation point during the American Revolution.

Location: Middletown Township

Website: https://nps.gov/gate/learn/historyculture/hancock.htm

GPS coordinates: 40.44470,-73.99560

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:27