Sandy Hook in Middletown Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
U.S. Life-Saving Station / Spermaceti Cove - Holly Forest
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Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 15, 2022
1. U.S. Life-Saving Station / Spermaceti Cove - Holly Forest Marker
U.S. Life-Saving Station
The Spermaceti Cove Life-Saving Station was one of the first Life-Saving Stations constructed by the federal government in the 19th century. Life-Saving Stations along the New Jersey Shore played a key role in the founding of what became known as the U.S. Life-Saving Service. Originally called lifeboat stations, they were built as a result of many shipwrecks occurring along the New Jersey coastline.
In 1915 the U.S. Life-Saving Service became part of the U.S. Coast Guard. The station was used by the U.S. Coast Guard until the late 1940s. Today the National Park Service utilizes the former U.S. Life-Saving/Coast Guard Station as a visitor center.
Spermaceti Cove - Holly Forest
Spermaceti Cove, across from the former U.S. Life-Saving Station, is popular with birders, photographers and naturalists because of the spectacular views of the open bay and tidal flats. Just north of the boardwalk is the largest maritime holly forest on the east coast, measuring 64+ acres. Some of the older trees are 150 years old and 50 feet high. The holly forest is closed to the public and available by guided tour only.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 40° 25.616′ N, 73° 59.1′ W. Marker is in Middletown Township, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It is in Sandy Hook. Marker is on Hartshorne Drive, 3.1 miles north of U.S. 36. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Highlands NJ 07732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sandy Hook (within shouting distance of this marker); Spermaceti Cove Station No. 2 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Sandy Hook (approx. 0.2 miles away); Discover Sandy Hook (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nike Missile Site (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Sandy Hook (approx. ¾ mile away); British Embarkation (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Sandy Hook (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middletown Township.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 15, 2022
2. U.S. Life-Saving Station / Spermaceti Cove - Holly Forest Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
