Middletown Township near Highlands in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lock’em Up!
Like any small town, Fort Hancock had a jail. Military life was strict and a soldier could be punished for an offense as minor as being outside his barracks after lights-out. Military penalties could include loss of rank, heavy fines, assignment to a work detail, or imprisonment for a few days in one of the cells in the Post Guardhouse.
Fort Hancock was in operation from 1895 to 1974.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. (Marker Number 6.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the New Jersey - Fort Hancock Walking Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 40° 27.695′ N, 74° 0.219′ W. Marker is near Highlands, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It is in Middletown Township. Marker is at the intersection of Kearney Road and Lawson Lane, on the right when traveling north on Kearney Road. 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. Sergeants’ Row (a few steps from this marker); Post Exchange (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Young Men’s Christian Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Athletic Field (within shouting distance of this marker); Handball Court (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Women's Army Corps (WAC) (about 300 feet away); Fill’er Up! (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Highlands.
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a picture of soldiers standing in front of the guardhouse. It has a caption of “Built in 1899, the guardhouse is pictured here in 1913.”
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 14, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.