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Don’t Touch Sandy Hook …

It Can’t Be Improved -

About the future of Sandy Hook, I long ago reached a conclusion—make as little change as possible. But it seems that the National Park Service is forever pondering what to do with the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area.

Although I agree with efforts to repair the area’s deteriorating historic buildings, I object to any major development effort—commercial or residential, public or private—on this most precious of Monmouth County shore locations.

While it’s true that this 6.5 mile barrier beach is already a busy national park in the summer months (millions come to swim, surf, boat, exercise, and fish), my own personal favorite time of the year at Sandy Hook is in the spring and fall—when it’s a natural oasis of tranquility and beauty. I’ve never paid a visit to Sandy Hook and not felt better for the trip.

Let’s keep it that way—nice and simple. I’m not alone on this. Many other county residents enjoy the splendor of that openness and remoteness. I maintain that one surrenders those things at great cost. Once the door to development is opened, there’s no telling when or if it will ever be shut. Most of Sandy Hook is and should remain peaceful and pristine. Besides, Route 36/Ocean Avenue—the major traffic feeder to Sandy Hook—is already busy enough. The new Highlands bridge, though attractive, will add to summertime congestion in the 600+ acre area.

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Things To Do On Sandy Hook

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Hook Origins
Giovanni da Verrazzano (you know the bridge) first discovered the peninsula while exploring the New York Harbor area in 1524 on his ship The Dolphin. In September 1609, explorer Henry Hudson anchored his ship, the Half-Moon, in Sandy Hook bay. Identified as a major landmark in 1755 (George Washington was a regular there), Sandy Hook was quickly recognized for its coastal significance—as the gateway to the world’s then largest and busiest port, New York Harbor. The historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the nation’s oldest lighthouse still in operation, was first lit in June 1764. The construction was financed by New York City merchants to aid mariners entering the southern end of the harbor.

During the American Revolution, the British took and held the strategic lighthouse for most of the war. The idea of an American fort at Sandy Hook was first seriously proposed during the War of 1812. The federal government took control of the area in 1846 and the construction of a fixed fortification was begun in 1859. In 1849, the first US Life-Saving Service structure was built on Sandy Hook (today’s it’s the park visitors center). During the late 1880s, a ferry service from New York to the hook’s Horseshoe Cove shuttled many of the city’s rich and famous to our area.

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Nature, to be controlled, must be obeyed.”
—Francis Bacon

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In October 1895, the fort at Sandy Hook was named in honor of Winfield Scott Hancock, a heroic Civil War general and 1880 Democratic presidential nominee. He lost that race to James Garfield by just 10,000 votes out more than 9.2 million cast; but he did carry New Jersey. The Pennsylvania-born Hancock was a 1824 West Point graduate. He played a hero’s role in the Union’s epic victory at Gettysburg in July 1863, where he was badly injured while rallying his troops. After the war, Hancock served as the commander of the Department of the East, headquartered at Governors Island, NY. He died while still in charge there in February 1886.

Military Point
Fort Hancock served as a critical US Army installation—protecting once the world’s busiest harbor—from 1898 to 1974. A deep yet narrow (just 100-feet wide) natural channel, national security officials long thought it was susceptible to sneak attack. During its military height, at the beginning of World War II, upwards of 12,000 US Army troops were stationed at Fort Hancock.

From 1874 until 1919, the area was a proving ground for military ordnance (ie, a testing area for weapons and ammunition). National defense strategy changed and in 1884 the construction of massive gun batteries was completed. Several large movable guns could hit sea targets up to 10 miles away. Remnants still stand today. I suggest a visit.

During the Cold War, the fort was an active US Army antiaircraft weapons site and in 1954 NIKE Air Defense Missiles were placed on the Hook. With the development of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), however, the NIKE became obsolete and the fort was decommissioned in February 1974 and turned over to the National Park Service.

Today, the grounds are part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Sandy Hook is home to a major wildlife sanctuary, the US Coast Guard, MAST, several marine study facilities, museums, and numerous cultural, educational, and recreational activities.

MUST SEE - The National Parks: America’s Best Idea by Ken Burns

For More:
The Sandy Hook Foundation

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