Fort Hancock is a former United States Army fort at Sandy Hook. Built in 1859, the coastal artillery base was decommissioned in 1974. Portions of the base remain intact and the oldest working lighthouse in the nation stands on its grounds. Still, much of Fort Hancock is in disrepair. Without a doubt, it’s one of the most fascinating and haunting abandoned places in New Jersey.
The fort was active for over 100 years but was most utilized during WWII, hosting over 7,000 residents.
Flickr/William Doyle
These residents included members of the Women’s Army Corps along with African American soldiers.
Flickr/Navin75
This was fairly significant as the military had not officially been desegregated yet.
Wikipedia/WikiJazz
The fort housed a number of defense systems to protect our coast including cannons, barbette guns, anti-aircraft guns and Nike missiles.
Flickr/Shinya Suzuki
From 1874 until 1919, Sandy Hook was used as a proving ground for the military’s latest experimental weaponry.
Flickr/Shinya Suzuki
It is home to Battery Potter (pictured below), the first concrete disappearing gun battery built in America. You’ll also find a holly forest here, usually off-limits. It is home to some of the oldest, largest and rarest holly trees in America.
Flickr/Peter Miller
Fort Hancock is now part of the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area.
Flickr/Shashank Jain
There is a museum to explore, but I would not recommend exploring the buildings themselves - they are structurally unsound and overflowing with poison ivy.
Flickr/Peter Miller
The NPS recently brought in Nubian goats who eat the ivy to help combat the issue.
Flickr/R’lyeh Imaging
There’s also an observation deck (visible above, in the fourth photo) that offers views like this.
Flickr/Shinya Suzuki
Can you believe these buildings have only been vacant for about 40 years?
Flickr/Peter Miller
It’s incredible to see how quickly Mother Nature is reclaiming her territory.
Flickr/R’lyeh Imaging
Lucky for us, much of the grounds at Fort Hancock in New Jersey are open to the public. Visitors can even enjoy guided tours, too; which guided tours are available from time to time, if you are into exploring on your own, the National Parks Service put together this great brochure.
Flickr/William Doyle
Flickr/Navin75
Wikipedia/WikiJazz
Flickr/Shinya Suzuki
Flickr/Peter Miller
Flickr/Shashank Jain
Flickr/R’lyeh Imaging
Are you curious to learn more about the Nike missile site at Fort Hancock in New Jersey? Check out our feature article about this very topic! And for information on Sandy Hook Light, the oldest working lighthouse in the United States, check out this article.
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Address: Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook, NJ 07732, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Fort Hancock in New Jersey April 12, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other national historic sites in New Jersey? If you enjoyed exploring Fort Hancock in New Jersey, you’ll definitely want to check out Morristown National Historic Park. Just like Sandy Hook, Morristown is a tragically underrated site in the state that absolutely deserves more visitors than it gets. The park has historical significance to New Jersey and the United States as a whole, but also offers amazing hiking trails. Along the Orange/Blue Patriots Path and Grand Loop Trail, you’ll pass several important Revolutionary War sites, including the sites where General Washington and the Continental army placed a winter encampment of December 1779 to June 1780, where they survived through what would be the coldest winter on record. The park’s website describes it as “where America survived” – and it’s harrowing to stand one the same ground where such historic events happened so long ago. Tell me more about Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Sandy Hook is one of the least-visited national parks in the country, and it really deserves more attention than it receives. Here you’ll find beautiful beaches, the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. The lighthouse is America’s oldest and has been in continuous operation since June 11, 1764. Free tours are available daily, hosted by national park rangers. Fort Hancock is another key area, allowing visitors to stroll past military barracks and old batteries. It’s a must-visit for history lovers, of course, but it’s also a site of immense historic significance that anyone can appreciate and enjoy. What are some other abandoned places in New Jersey? If you’re into exploring creepy, abandoned places, you’re in good company! We love a good scare or ghost hunt, so we put together this Abandoned Road Trip that leads to some of the Garden State’s coolest abandoned sites and spooky attractions.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Fort Hancock in New Jersey
April 12, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some other national historic sites in New Jersey? If you enjoyed exploring Fort Hancock in New Jersey, you’ll definitely want to check out Morristown National Historic Park. Just like Sandy Hook, Morristown is a tragically underrated site in the state that absolutely deserves more visitors than it gets. The park has historical significance to New Jersey and the United States as a whole, but also offers amazing hiking trails. Along the Orange/Blue Patriots Path and Grand Loop Trail, you’ll pass several important Revolutionary War sites, including the sites where General Washington and the Continental army placed a winter encampment of December 1779 to June 1780, where they survived through what would be the coldest winter on record. The park’s website describes it as “where America survived” – and it’s harrowing to stand one the same ground where such historic events happened so long ago. Tell me more about Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Sandy Hook is one of the least-visited national parks in the country, and it really deserves more attention than it receives. Here you’ll find beautiful beaches, the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. The lighthouse is America’s oldest and has been in continuous operation since June 11, 1764. Free tours are available daily, hosted by national park rangers. Fort Hancock is another key area, allowing visitors to stroll past military barracks and old batteries. It’s a must-visit for history lovers, of course, but it’s also a site of immense historic significance that anyone can appreciate and enjoy. What are some other abandoned places in New Jersey? If you’re into exploring creepy, abandoned places, you’re in good company! We love a good scare or ghost hunt, so we put together this Abandoned Road Trip that leads to some of the Garden State’s coolest abandoned sites and spooky attractions.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you enjoyed exploring Fort Hancock in New Jersey, you’ll definitely want to check out Morristown National Historic Park. Just like Sandy Hook, Morristown is a tragically underrated site in the state that absolutely deserves more visitors than it gets. The park has historical significance to New Jersey and the United States as a whole, but also offers amazing hiking trails. Along the Orange/Blue Patriots Path and Grand Loop Trail, you’ll pass several important Revolutionary War sites, including the sites where General Washington and the Continental army placed a winter encampment of December 1779 to June 1780, where they survived through what would be the coldest winter on record. The park’s website describes it as “where America survived” – and it’s harrowing to stand one the same ground where such historic events happened so long ago.
Tell me more about Sandy Hook in New Jersey.
Sandy Hook is one of the least-visited national parks in the country, and it really deserves more attention than it receives. Here you’ll find beautiful beaches, the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. The lighthouse is America’s oldest and has been in continuous operation since June 11, 1764. Free tours are available daily, hosted by national park rangers. Fort Hancock is another key area, allowing visitors to stroll past military barracks and old batteries. It’s a must-visit for history lovers, of course, but it’s also a site of immense historic significance that anyone can appreciate and enjoy.
What are some other abandoned places in New Jersey?
If you’re into exploring creepy, abandoned places, you’re in good company! We love a good scare or ghost hunt, so we put together this Abandoned Road Trip that leads to some of the Garden State’s coolest abandoned sites and spooky attractions.
