- ParkMark

20 Inch Rodman Gun

The 20-inch Rodman Gun is the largest muzzle-loading, smoothbore cannon ever made.

Bachelors Officers' Quarters or BOQ

The BOQs hosted unmarried officers. Captains and majors lived on the second floor in their own suites with private baths and sitting rooms. Lieutenants occupied single bedrooms and shared a bathroom on the top floor. The first floor was the original Fort Hancock Officers Club with a dining room, billiards room and bar. Officers paid a staff to clean and cook meals.

Barracks 22 and 74

Historically, these barracks housed enlisted soldiers. Building 74 could house 220 men or two batteries. These photos are from the 1950s and 1960s. Today, these buildings are home to two organizations: the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium carefully restored Barracks 22 to its historic appearance. Here they conduct innovative hands-on environmental education and outreach programs and manage research that benefits New Jersey's marine and coastal environments. NOAA uses Building 74 as part of the J. J. Howard National Science Laboratory. The staff of this fisheries research facility conducts investigations on climate change, habitat condition, ocean acidification and contaminants. Other organizations have headquarters on the parade ground as well, including the American Littoral Society and Clean Ocean Action.

Barracks 25, the "WAC Palace"

Although built in 1898 for enlisted men, curtains were added during World War II for the new residents: soldiers from the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). Originally they were not part of the Army itself. This barrack was the first for women soldiers stationed at Fort Hancock, who arrived here in 1943. They distinguished themselves both nationally and here at Fort Hancock in providing essential logistical support. That is why the Corps officially became part of the Army in 1943, and the woman received the same pay and benefits as men and dropped "auxiliary" from their name. Soldiers in the Women's Army Corps were called "WACs."

Barracks Rows and Mess Halls

Enlisted men lived on Barracks Row in one of the four buildings that held about 120 men each. Behind each of the barracks were mess halls that included barber and tailor shops and a kitchen. The mess halls hosted many occasions, including holiday dinners. Once female soldiers arrived, men and women ate separately. The soldier sitting at the left corner of the table is Private Romona Washer.

Battery Caitlin

Battery Catlin is one of several smaller fortifications that dot Fort Wadsworth’s landscape.

Battery Granger

Battery Granger, located between Battery Potter and the Mortar Battery, was built by the US Army in 1898. Battery Granger mounted two 10-inch caliber counterweight disappearing guns that were in use from the Spanish-American War to World War II.

Battery Gunnison

Battery Gunnison, later called Battery New Peck, is a six-inch coast artillery battery located on Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Gunnison was built in 1903 as a twin six-inch disappearing gun battery.

Battery Kingman

To out range enemy battleships, the U.S. Army Ordnance Department developed a new barbette gun carriage that allowed 12-inch caliber guns to fire at a high angle, just like battleship guns. Mounted on large, round concrete platforms located out in the open, the battery's 12-inch guns could fire their half ton, armor piercing projectiles over 20 miles in any direction. Battery Kingman is a good example of a World War One designed barbette gun battery. The battery was construct

Battery Mills

This battery is identical in design and construction as Battery Kingman, just north of Battery Mills. Like Battery Kingman, Battery Mills' two 12-inch barbette carriage mounted guns stood on large round concrete platforms so that the guns could fire 20 miles in any direction in a circle that included the Atlantic Ocean, Lower and Upper New York Harbor, Sandy Hook and Raritan Bays, as well as south towards the New Jersey Seashore. Wooden sheds were used to shelter the guns fro

Battery Peck

Construction on Battery Peck was started during 1901, but the work was not completed until late 1903, when the battery was finally armed with two 6-inch guns mounted on barbette pedestal carriages. Battery Peck served many years in Fort Hancock's Underwater Mine Defense Command.

Battery Potter

Originally called Lift-gun Battery #1, it was the first and only disappearing gun battery powered by a steam hydraulic lift system. The first gun, a 12-inch, breech loading rifle, was mounted in 1892. The second gun was mounted in 1895." In operation from 1893-1906, it was obsolete by the time it was built because the fastest firing of the gun took over two minutes to load and fire. In the meantime, The Army had developed a new gun carriage that used a counterweight to rais

Battery Weed

Battery Weed is a substantial, three-tiered, 19th century fortification on Staten Island guarding the Verrazano Narrows, the main approach from the Atlantic Ocean to New York City.

Bayside

Although many people come to Sandy Hook with the intention of visiting the beach, the bayside is also a great destination point if you're interested in enjoying the sun and water. There are ranger-led canoe tours, places to soak up the sun, coves to explore, and areas where you can bring pets. You may see birds overhead, including the osprey or sea hawk, which likes to perch on high places. As you can see from this historic photo, soldiers and their families enjoyed the beach and the bay for recreation as well. The Hospital is in the background.

Before you go: Ospreys

Before you start on the trail, look around you. Across from the parking lot is an osprey nest on a platform, which was built by park staff. Ospreys, also called seahawks, like to nest in high places, including electric or telephone poles. You may see a diamondback terrapin crossing the road from May to July, when females lay their eggs. Watch out for them when you drive! Also notice the northern bayberry. These tall shrubs have sweet scented leaves, which are used to make candles. In the spring, flowers bloom on the female bushes. During the colonial era the waxy grayish berries were used for making candles and for medicinal purposes. Many birds eat the berries, including cedar waxwings.

Canarsie Pier

The Native American Canarsie tribe launched canoes into Jamaica Bay from this site. Later a pier with an amusement park was a popular destination for locals. Today, the historic pier is used for fishing, picnicking and community events. The adjacent natural area provides access to the bay for kayaking and boating, and visitors fish and relax in the shade. The eastern beach provides a superb sheltered kayak launch.

Company, attention!

The parade ground is one of the most important fixtures of any military post. Here troops drilled, formed for inspection, held morning physical training, and paraded and reviewed for superior military officers and visiting dignitaries. A soldier might receive a medal here in a special ceremony. The photo of tents on the Parade Ground is not a "camp out" but an inspection of soldiers' equipment, from rifles to toiletries. Inspections ensured that a soldier's equipment is in top shape as well as sharpening a soldier's ability to quickly notice when things out of place - a key military skill in wartime. Today, ROTC students from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) drill on the parade grounds, just up the hill from their campus.

Eastern Red Cedar

As you make your way back up to the West Pond Trail, take a closer look at the evergreen trees on either side of the trail. Although it is called a cedar, the eastern red cedar is truly a juniper. Eastern red cedar is known for its reddish, fragrant, and durable wood. The dense evergreen foliage of this native tree offers good nesting cover for robins, house finches, and mockingbirds. Cedar waxwing birds love to eat its blue berries in the fall. In winter, birds such as saw-whet owls roost in its branches. Eastern red cedar like these were among the first trees planted by Herbert Johnson. Does the scent of this tree smell familiar? These berries were historically used to flavor stews and marinades.

Eastern Red Cedar Stop

Sand is terrible for growing plants. It does not hold water, has few nutrients, and can get hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. The Eastern red cedar or red juniper gets around this by producing evergreen leaves that take less energy to grow. Despite this, the red cedar still struggles in the environment here because it cannot tolerate salt. When Hurricane Sandy flooded this area, it killed many cedar trees that you will see on the trail. Even then, dead trees are useful because they provide food and habitat for wildlife.

Floyd Bennett Field

Floyd Bennett Field was New York City’s first municipal airport; later it became a World War II naval air station. Today this area includes over 1,300 acres of grassland, saltmarshes, tidal mudflats, a marina, and the former airfield, including a control tower and terminal that is now the Ryan Visitor Center (Ryan Visitor Center). Many recreational opportunities are available, including camping, biking, archery, gardening, ice skating, hockey, and gymnastics and more.

Floyd Bennett Field Archery Range

The Floyd Bennett Field Archery Range is an outdoor range with 8-10 targets set at various distances and a covered platform from which to shoot. Use of this range is permitted with your camping reservation. Crossbows and hunting tips are prohibited. The range is accessible to persons with disabilities. Call 718-338-3799 for more information.

Fort Tilden

Fort Tilden is a former military site that overlooks the approach to New York Harbor and today includes athletic fields, hiking trails, an arts center, a theater, and an observatory deck on a historic battery offering spectacular views of Jamaica Bay, New York Harbor, and the Manhattan skyline. Dunes, a maritime forest, freshwater ponds, and coastal defense resources including Battery Harris and the Nike Missile Launch Site are also found here.

Fort Tompkins

Fort Tompkins was established on Staten Island to protect the Narrows leading into New York Harbor. Completed by 1876, it provided quarters for the post's garrison and protected the waterside and channel batteries from land attack. In the development of a comprehensive harbor defense plan for the Third American System, the fortification of the west bank of the Narrows was identified as vital to the security of the nation, and designated as a top priority.A redoubt built by Co

Fort Tompkins

Fort Tompkins was named for New York Governor and Vice President of the United States Daniel Tompkins. This imposing granite structure, constructed between 1859 and 1876, was designed to work in tandem with Battery Weed. Battery Weed was positioned to fire on enemy ships attempting to pass through the narrows, and Fort Tompkins was situated above to protect Battery Weed from a landward attack.

Fort Wadsworth

This gate serves as the front door to one of the oldest military installations in the nation. The site occupies 226-acres on the northeastern shore of Staten Island along the Verrazano Narrows of New York Harbor. Rich in history and natural beauty, Fort Wadsworth affords you the opportunity to observe an important part of our nation's history, while offering magnificent views of New York Harbor.This is the main entrance to Fort Wadsworth from Bay Avenue leading to New York Av

Fort Wadsworth Overlook

The panoramic view from the overlook and the narrow passage into the harbor has made the fort a strategic defense location since Colonial times. It also makes it the perfect place for visitors to survey the harbor. Located on a bluff overlooking the Verrazano Narrows, the overlook provides a sweeping vista that takes in Bayonne, N.J., Manhattan, and Red Hook, Brooklyn, where many sea-going cruises originate. Less than a mile separates Brooklyn and Staten Island. This natur

Fort Wadsworth Overlook

From the overlook you can see the New York Harbor and Brooklyn. This spectacular view was recognized for its strategic value centuries ago by no one less than George Washington himself.

Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center

The Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center is open Friday-Monday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center return

Fort Wadsworth remained active throughout the Cold War. Although the threat of a major city in the United States being attacked from the sea had been miniscule for decades, the looming threat of nuclear war brought about major changes in defense preparation. Nike missiles designed to intercept high-altitude bombers were located near large urban centers. Fort Wadsworth served as the Nike control center for the NYC area.

Frank Charles Park

Frank Charles Memorial Park, originally part of New York City's Department of Parks and Recreation, includes playgrounds, ball fields, shoreline access for fishing, as well as fragile, protected marshlands.

Golden Barrens

Some plants dominate certain beach areas, such as the golden heather. This plant releases a toxin into the ground that slows the growth of other plants, giving it plenty of room to grow. Its complex root system helps anchor the sand, but trampling by humans can easily damage the roots. This plant is commonly found around beach plums, a shrub whose fruit ripens in late summer to fall. The Lenape people used these fruits in their diet. A neighbor to these plants is the seaside goldenrod. This blooms into large, bright yellow flowerheads in the fall.

Great Kills Park

A sandy barrier peninsula perched on Staten Island's South Shore. Great Kills is known for its abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. Enjoy the fishing at Crooke's Point, go bird-watching, or simply relax under the sun at the beach. A marina provides access to the harbor for boaters. There is also a 1.5-mile multi-use path that is perfect for running, walking, or biking.

Guardian Park Missiles

Guardian Park Memorial was established by the U.S. Army as they prepared to deactivate Fort Hancock. It is named for the Nike Air Defense Missiles, which were the last "guardians" of the New York Metropolitan Area. The granite monument was originally located at the Missile Launch Area in Middletown, New Jersey, where eight Nike Ajax Missiles exploded in 1958. The Middletown missile site closed in 1963, and the monument was then moved to the Army Highlands Air Defense Site

Hamilton Beach Park

Originally created as a municipal park, Hamilton Beach Park includes playgrounds and ball fields along with shoreline access for fishing. Nearby sensitive marshlands are visible from the grassy shoreline.

History House - Officers Row Building #1

In 1898, History House (building #1) was designated as a lieutenant's quarters on Officers Row in Fort Hancock. History House is open on the weekends from 1p.m. to 5p.m.

Holly Forest Stop

This forest of American Holly is the largest stand or group of American holly trees on the East Coast. Along with Eastern red cedar and wild black cherry trees, the American hollies create a unique maritime forest on Sandy Hook. One tree in this forest dates from the 1830s. Female trees produce flowers which produce red berries. Stop for a moment and be silent. What do you hear? Morning is the best time to hear birdcalls. Try to differentiate between the different calls.

Horseshoe Crabs

Throughout spring, the beaches around Jamaica Bay are host to a curious, ancient creature. Horseshoe crabs have wandered the earth for more than 450 million years, 200 million years longer than the dinosaurs. These living fossils play an incredibly important role in the ecological food web, their eggs and larvae a vital food source for migrating shorebirds. The Red Knot, a robin-sized shorebird that travels 9,000 miles each way on its annual migration from the tip of South America to the Canadian Arctic, is one shorebird that fuels up each year on the tiny green horseshoe crab eggs found along these shores. Although horseshoe crabs have survived many mass extinction events in their long history, they face their most serious threat today in the forms of overharvesting and habitat loss.

Hospital

Some buildings which served important post functions are now gone. The hospital, completed in 1899, treated soldiers and their dependent family members during sickness and injury. Soldiers might be injured from heavy equipment at the fort and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. One of the hospital's largest emergencies was in January 1944, when a Navy destroyer blew up on the ocean side of Sandy Hook. Fifty sailors were rushed to the hospital on boats and ambulances. The hospital needed blood plasma, and Battery Park in Manhattan had some to spare. Entertainment could make a hospital visit more cheerful, as seen in photos from the last years of the fort. The hospital was destroyed by fire in 1985.

Jacob Riis Park

Jacob Riis Park was designed by the politically powerful NYC Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, who in 1929 had created Jones Beach as a state park further east on Long Island. The Atlantic Ocean beach, boardwalks, courtyards, and walkways gave the city's poor a respite from cramped tenements and crowded city streets. The park was largely built on the site of the former Rockaway Naval Air Station, one of the first US naval air stations.

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is one of the most important urban wildlife refuges in the United States. Encompassing more than 9,000 acres, it is comprised of diverse habitats including salt marsh, upland field and woods, several fresh and brackish water ponds and an open expanse of bay and islands - all located within the limits of New York City.

Lock 'em up!

Military life could be strict. 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 or jail. For serious crimes, prisoners were transported to Fort Jay on Governors Island in upper New York Harbor to wait for their trial date.

Marching Around the Parade Grounds: Introduction

While Fort Hancock encompasses the entire Sandy Hook peninsula, Fort Hancock Historic Post was the center of social and daily life outside of the fortifications and field training locations. The Parade Ground Walking Tour takes you through the main areas in Fort Hancock Historic Post for junior enlisted soldiers, sergeants, and officers. Despite numerous distinctions between these soldiers, they all came together at the Parade Ground to carry out the traditions and routines of the U.S. Army.

Miller Field

Miller Field was once home to one of the most prominent American families of the 19th Century. In 1836, Cornelius Vanderbilt began purchasing farmland in New Dorp and owned most of what became Miller Field by 1843. Vanderbilt's heirs sold the property to the federal government in 1919. This site is now one of the three sites of Gateway National Recreation Area's Staten Island Unit.

Mont Sec Avenue

Officers and their families lived in these houses lining Mont Sec Avenue. The oldest houses in neighborhood date to the 1870s; later houses were built during the 1930s as part of the Works Progress Administration.

Mortar Battery

Sandy Hook was the site of America's first mortar battery. Completed in 1894, it mounted sixteen 12-inch caliber, breech-loading rifled mortars, which were divided equally in four massive concrete and earth covered "firing pits." The mortars were designed to fire armor-piercing projectiles, weighing up to 1,000 pounds, in high arcs to bombard an approaching enemy battleship or cruiser from above.

Multi Use Path

The Multi-Use Pathway (MUP) starts at the park entrance and loops around Fort Hancock. It provides a great way to see Sandy Hook. The seven-mile long pathway is shared by walkers, bicyclists and in-line skaters. Bring your own bicycle, or you can rent a bike during your visit.The MUP is for everyone, so please use it with courtesy. Whether you walk, bike or rollerblade, stay on your side of the yellow line. Keep an ear out for people who wish to pass. Have your pets on a s

Nike Missiles And Launch Site

Both the Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules missiles on display are not part of the original Sandy Hook arsenal. All the original missiles from Sandy Hook were removed despite the request from the National Park Service to save one to interpret the history of the Nike Missile program at Sandy Hook. The U.S. Army was unable to fulfill the request from the National Park Service as they were following orders which were handed down as a result of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (S.A.L.T.). The agreements between the United States of America and the Soviet Union were intended to restrain the nuclear arms race. As a result of S.A.L.T., the Treaty on Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Systems was supposed to permit each side to have one limited ABM system to protect its capital and another to protect another missile launch area. The two sites must be at least 1,300 kilometers apart with no more than 100 missiles and 100 launchers. It was agreed that the treaty was to be reviewed in 5 years.

Nine Gun Battery

Nine Gun Battery was built in four stages over a period of 8 years, from 1897 to 1904. When completed, the battery mounted three 10-inch guns and six 12-inch guns. Sandy Hook became the only place in the US and its possessions having a nine gun battery mounting large caliber, disappearing guns. However, the Army found that having only one gun commander for the whole battery made it difficult to coordinate the loading, aiming, and firing of nine big cannons. To solve this pro

North Channel Bridge

This launch site is the most northerly point on Rulers Bar Hassock, the largest of the islands in Jamaica Bay. This sand and pebble beach and parking lot are a popular destination for birdwatchers, anglers and paddlers.

Officers Row

On most Army posts from the early 20th Century, officers' houses face the parade ground, but the view of the bay at sunset was too good to resist. These homes were built for officers in 1898 and 1899. Families could plant flowers and shrubs close to their houses, but plants had to remain below the railings of the front porch. In later years, porches were screened in to keep out insects. White poplar trees lined the street, but they were no match for the constant salt spray and heavy winds. See if you can spot some of the few that remain.