Middletown Township near Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sandy Hook
Gateway National Recreational Area, Sandy Hook Unit
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Stretching off the northern tip of the New Jersey Shore, the 1,650 acre peninsula preserves six miles of ocean beaches enjoyed by more than two million visitors a year. But there’s much more.
Beyond its well-known beaches, sand dunes and salt marshes extend to Sandy Hook Bay. These coastal environments support and array of wildlife, including more than 300 species of migratory and native birds. Offshore, dozens of fish species and other aquatic life thrive in these waters.
Sandy Hook has history, too. Its lighthouse, the oldest in the nation, has guided shipping since 1764. Forts here protected New York Harbor for two centuries. Explore Fort Hancock and discover Sandy Hook’s role in navigation and the defense of our nation.
[Caption:]
Historic resources abound in and around Fort Hancock—from the 1764 Sandy Hook Lighthouse to 1890s Endicott fortification to the remains of the Sandy Hook Proving Ground.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Communications • Forts and Castles
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Location. 40° 27.709′ N, 74° 0.141′ W. Marker is near Highlands, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It is in Middletown Township. Marker is on Mercer Road north of Hudson Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 84 Mercer Rd, Highlands NJ 07732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lighting the Way (here, next to this marker); Sandy Hook Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Climate Crisis (within shouting distance of this marker); Sarah Patterson Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Keeping the Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Lights Out! (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire House Number 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Exchange (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Highlands.
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 60 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.
