Sandy Hook in Middletown Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Army Docks
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
1. Army Docks Marker
This is the 23rd in a series of 39 markers on the Fort Hancock Walking Tour.
The first wharf built here was used to bring in granite blocks for the Fort at Sandy Hook. Later, cannon to be tested at the Sandy Hook Proving Ground were received here. In the 1890s barges arrived carrying the materials to build Fort Hancock. Today, the docks are used by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Sandy Hook Proving Ground operated from 1874 to 1919. Fort Hancock was in operation from 1895 to 1974.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. (Marker Number 23.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey - Fort Hancock Walking Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.
Location. 40° 27.884′ N, 74° 0.415′ W. Marker is in Middletown Township, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It is in Sandy Hook. Marker is on Kessler 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 at or near this postal address: 35 Hartshorne Dr, 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. Protecting American Coasts (a few steps from this marker); 200 Years of Service (a few steps from this marker);
this page online
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a photo of the wharf with a caption “The wharf was built in the 1850s. Here cannon were delivered for testing in 1918.” A photo at the upper left of the marker shows troops at the wharf and has a caption of “In World Wars I and II troops left from here to begin their journey overseas. Troops (above) muster in 1943.”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
2. Marker at Fort Hancock
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
3. Army Docks Marker
The dock currently used by the U.S. Coast Guard can be seen behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
4. Marker at the Army Docks
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 14, 2012
5. Remains of Earlier Docks
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 396 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 15, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
