Before and During World War I

A family outing for a Western Union employee, 1914.

NPS Photo

Beginnings

Fort Hancock, located on the northern end of the Sandy Hook peninsula, was first garrisoned on March 14, 1898. Sandy Hook had maintained a continuous Army presence since the establishment of the Sandy Hook Proving Ground in 1874. Fort Hancock remained an active Army base until January 1, 1975, when it transitioned to being managed as part of Gateway National Recreation Area, a national park.

During World War I, the U.S. Army's 136th Company was stationed at Fort Hancock. Others on the peninsula included the U.S. Life-Saving Service, who had two stations on the peninsula, as well as U.S. Lighthouse Service and U.S. Weather Bureau employees. In addition to these individuals, there were also the Western Union and Postal Telegraph Company towers that employed men and housed their families.