Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Middletown Township near Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Just Like A Small Town

Coastal Defense

— Maritime History —

 
 
Just Like A Small Town Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2011
1. Just Like A Small Town Marker
Inscription.
Fort Hancock was established in 1895 as an Army coastal defense post. Its huge concrete gun batteries were designed to protect New York Harbor from attack by sea.

Although it was never attacked, Fort Hancock’s garrison kept busy with work details, guard duty, drilling, training, and target practice with the big guns. It functioned like a small town. As military operations expanded, a school, movie theater, two chapels, and a YMCA were added. The post even had its own baseball team.

The garrison of soldiers grew from 400 officers and enlisted men to over 18,000 during World War II. Because of new technologies in coastal defenses, Fort Hancock was deactivated in 1974. Today, many of its buildings serve as offices and classrooms for the National Park Service and environmental monitoring and educational groups.

Fort Hancock
In 1900, the fort consisted of thirty-six buildings centered around the post headquarters and parade ground. Surrounding the parade ground were the barracks, officers’ quarters, and the post hospital. Other buildings included a bachelor officers’ quarters, noncommissioned officers’ quarters, a guardhouse, and numerous support buildings.
 
Erected by State of New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
 
Location. 40° 27.481′ N, 74° 0.249′ W. Marker is near Highlands, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It is in Middletown Township. Marker is on Fort Hancock Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in the Fort Hancock area in the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. 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 walking distance of this marker. Company, Attention! (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dead House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Best of Care (about 300 feet away); Hospital Steward’s Quarters (about 400 feet away); NOAA Fisheries Service (about 400 feet away); Superstorm Sandy High Water Mark (about 600 feet away); Discover Sandy Hook (about 600 feet away); Sandy Hook (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Highlands.
 
More about this marker. The bottom right of the marker features a photo of “Garrison drilling on the parade ground, ca. 1905” and a “U.S. Army plan, Fort Hancock, ca. 1900.”
The lower left of the marker contains photographs of an “Exhibition game between the Fort Hancock team and the New York Giants, April 1943” and the “Fort Hancock Post
Just Like A Small Town Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2011
2. Just Like A Small Town Marker
school, 1924.”
 
Also see . . .
1. Fort Hancock. NY Harbor Parks website. (Submitted on April 15, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.) 

2. New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. National Park Service website. (Submitted on April 15, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.) 
 
Fort Hancock Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2011
3. Fort Hancock Marker
Marker is part of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail.
Just Like A Small Town Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2011
4. Just Like A Small Town Marker
Fort Hancock Parade Ground image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2011
5. Fort Hancock Parade Ground
The parade ground and Fort Hancock buildings are seen in this photo taken from the marker. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse is also visible on the right.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 560 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 15, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=41712

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 28, 2024