Sandy Hook's Military History: A Timeline

The postcard says this gun was "the largest and most effective weapon of war ever constructed." Weighing 284,500 pounds and 590 inches in length, this gun has nearly two dozen men standing on it, with room for several more. Completed in 1903, it had a firing range of 20 miles.

NPS ARCHIVES

1680: On December 10, Richard Hartshorne purchased all rights to “Sandy Hook” from the local Indian leaders for 13 Shillings.

1762: On May 16, Robert and Esik Hartshorne transferred four acres of land to build the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. This lighthouse, along with eleven others, were ceded to the Federal Government on August 7, 1789. This lighthouse became know as “The Sandy Hook Lighthouse.”

1778: The British Army and Loyalist troops garrisoned Sandy Hook with light infantry and a small field gun.

1806: Richard Hartshorne transfered majority of Northern Sandy Hook to the United States.

1817: All final transfers of Sandy Hook to the US Government are complete.

1847: Plans for large granite fortification begin. Construction began in 1859 but was suspended in 1870. The large fortification was never completed. Much of it was taken down by the US Army in the 1950s.

1874: Sandy Hook Proving Ground opened as a temporary installation to test weapons.

1894: Construction of the permanent post initiated to support a permanent coast artillery garrison.

1895: "Fortifications of Sandy Hook" renamed "Fort Hancock."

1903: Sandy Hook Proving Ground designation changed from temporary to permanent installation.

1919: Sandy Hook Proving Ground closed, with functions moving to Aberdeen Proving Ground. The US Army assumes control over former proving ground areas.

1940: President Roosevelt mobilized the National Guard and the Draft was initiated. Garrison at Fort Hancock gained over 3,000 soldiers as the 2,500 members of the 245^thCoast Artillery Regiment (NY Guard) arrived and the 52^nd Coast Artillery, 7^th Coast Artillery and support units were filled to wartime strength with draftees.

1943: Fort Hancock reached its peak of more than 5,000 personnel with the arrival of the 265th Coast Artillery Regiment (FL National Guard) for one year.

1944: Fort Hancock troop strength began to subside. The activation of Battery Lewis (2x16-inch guns) made many gun batteries obsolete and the troops that manned them were moved overseas.

1945: Fort Hancock became a demobilization station for the Army returning from Europe.

1950: Harbor Defenses of New York deactivated and all Coast Artillery troops depart. Fort Hancock closes.

1951: Fort Hancock reopened to answer Cold War threats. Army Anti-aircraft battalions and regiments arrived to protect the NYC metropolitan area.

1950: US Army transfered 43 acres of Fort Hancock's northern tip to the Treasury Department, which operated the US Coast Guard at the time. An additional 18 acres were transferred to the USCG in 1972 and another five acres in 1976 for a total of 66 acres.

1962: Army leased 460 acres at the south end of Fort Hancock (estimated total size: 1,570 acres) to the State of New Jersey to create a state park.

1974: Army vacated state of New Jersey lease to prepare to close and transfer Fort Hancock.

1975-1978: Transfer of Fort Hancock remaining property to Department of the Interior, US National Park Service.