National Register of Historic Places

Fort Hancock, U.S. Life Saving Station

Highlands, Monmouth County, New Jersey
Listed
November 30, 1981
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
81000080

About this property

The Fort Hancock U.S. Life Saving Station, also known as Spermaceti Cove No. 2 Life-Saving Service Station, is located on Sandy Hook, north of Highlands, New Jersey. Originally built on the grounds of Fort Hancock, the area has been part of the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area since 1974. A United States Life-Saving Service station was first located in the area in 1848 or 1849. The current structure was built in 1894 about 1,000 feet (305 m) from the 1848 site. It is a 1+1⁄2-story shingle-style building with a boathouse and a four-story tower. When the Life-Saving Service was merged into the United States Coast Guard in 1915, the site became a Coast Guard Station until decommissioned in 1949. It later served as administrative offices for a New Jersey state park, and, beginning in 1974, as a visitors' center for Gateway NRA. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 30, 1981.

Location

Highlands, Monmouth County, New Jersey
40.42661, -73.98425

Categories

COMMERCEARCHITECTURESOCIAL HISTORY
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Nearby Historic Sites

Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District
Early Republic
1.2 mi
Water Witch Club Historic District
Listed
1.9 mi
Water Witch Club Casino
Industrial
1.9 mi
Twin Lights
Industrial
2.1 mi
Navesink Light Station
Industrial
2.1 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Staten Island Raid (Sullivan)
1777Revolutionary War
13.9 mi
Battle of Long Island — Jamaica Pass Flanking
1776Revolutionary War
15.5 mi

Questions about this property

When was Fort Hancock, U.S. Life Saving Station listed on the National Register?

Fort Hancock, U.S. Life Saving Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 30, 1981.

What type of historic resource is Fort Hancock, U.S. Life Saving Station?

Fort Hancock, U.S. Life Saving Station is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Fort Hancock, U.S. Life Saving Station?

The period of significance for Fort Hancock, U.S. Life Saving Station is recorded as the industrial era.

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