December, 1996 VOL.1 Issue 10

SANDY HOOK LIGHTHOUSE

Sandy Hook, New Jersey

DESCRIPTION:

Driving through the Toll Gates onto Sandy Hook you leave behind a suburban seaside town and enter a shrub and dune covered landscape. As you head towards the Northern tip of Sandy Hook the modern world slips away and the Jersey shore of long ago surrounds you Occasionally there are still reminders of modern man's presence; other cars, parking lots, and buildings, but the developed carival aspect of todays shore towns are not present.
Both nature and man have had keen interest in Sandy Hook due to its unique geographical location. The Atlantic gulf currents have created Sandy Hook, carrying sand from southern shores and depositing it as it takes a turbulent twist to head further North. Over 300 bird species, cacti, and a forest of holly have called the Hook home before man came. Man found that the Hook's strategic location to New York City and the Hudson River made it a prime location for a fort to defend the United States against invasion. The combination of these elements, the metropolis of man colliding with the forces of nature also meant that this would be a prime location for a lighthouse.
As you emerge from the shrubs and holly on the North end of the island you will see the buildings Fort Hancock, round the bend, and find the lighthouse. It stands surrounded by the clutter of history.
The tall white octagon shaped brick tower still stands next to the keepers dwelling, which is still occupied. It is the oldest lighthouse in the United Sates still in continuous operation on its original foundation. It was commissioned by George Washington and been in use since 1764. With many lighthouses moved, remodeled, replaced, or the keepers dwelling missing, it is absorbing to stand there and think that this is very much the same view that George Washington may have had over 200 years ago.

Autumn arrives at Sandy Hook Lighthouse

Sandy Hook Lighthouse encased in ice

There is a road that curves around the lighthouse and continues out to the beach. If you walk down this road you will gain another view point of the lighthouse. To the right is a huge wall. This was once a fort that housed several large cannons to protect the New York harbor entrance. A little further down the road are more structures from the fort completely overgrown with vines and shrubs. Within a few minutes you will reach the beach and have a view of Coney Island off in the distance. I would not suggest exploring off the road, the area is now a wildlife habitat, the shrubs have thorns and the ground is covered by cacti.

DIRECTIONS:

Animated Compass The Sandy Hook lighthouse is located at the northern end of New Jersey's Atlantic Coast on the grounds of the Fort Hancock section of Gateway National Recreation area. (201)872-0115
On the New Jersey Parkway (toll road), you will see brown signs for Sandy Hook. Take exit 117 to route 35/36. It will cost you 25 cents to leave the Parkway. Follow route 36 east towards the Atlantic coast following the signs for Sandy Hook or the Navesink Lighthouse. (If you dont see any signs don't panic, just head west and stay on 36.) Route 36 will be a divided highway for a while passing strip malls, offices, used car lots, bars, and bait shops.
At one point the highway will take a long curve to the right and on this curve is a Burger King. After which you will go up hill, and then come down the other side. The road becomes narrower and only one lane of traffic on each side. Soon you will come to a bridge, as you cross the bridge Sandy Hook will stretch northward to your left.
Just before you cross the bridge there are a few small roads on the right. One of these roads goes up the mountain to the Navesink Lighthouse.
Once across the bridge turn left and head North up the road to the gates for Sandy Hook. In winter there is usually no problem proceeding, but in summer the gate may be closed if the Hook becomes over crowded. Stay on the roads to the left side of the hook and head north, you really can't get lost because the hook is small.
DeLorme Icon
View a DeLorme Street Atlas Map
You will need Street Atlas 3.0 or 4.0

WHILE YOU ARE THERE:

Sandy Hook Lighthouse dressed in a white December evenings snow. Sandy Hook provides a great location for surf fishing, swimming, bird watching, and site seeing. The Hook is home to variety of vegetation and wildlife. You may even be surprised to find the ground carpeted with Opuntia cacti - or people swimming without bathing suits. Walking east away from the lighthouse you will come to the Atlantic Ocean. From the coastal beach looking east you can see Coney Island. On the Eastern interior side the Atlantic Highlands Rise in the distance as battle ships glide in and out of port. Hike Northward away from the lighthouse and you will find views of Staten Island and the Manhattan skyline.

Sunset awakens Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Leaving Sandy Hook and heading South West you will find the nearby town of Red Bank. Here you will find a variety of antique shops and a few resturaunts. Drive the back roads from the lighthouse to Red bank and you will pass by many large estates.
Sandy Hook lighthouse is not the only lighthouse in the area. If you look closely at the crest of the Highlands you will see the Navesink lighthouse. The Navesink looks like a huge castle on the top of the hill. I would definitely recommend that you take the short drive to the top and visit.
Another point of interest to lighthouse and nautical buffs may be the old life saving station which can be seen to the right along the coast as you drive to the lighthouse.

NEAREST LIGHTHOUSES:

North - The Statue of Liberty and various other lighthouses in the bay. (Yes, the statue of Liberty was listed as a lighthouse and used as an aid to navigation.
South - Naversink Lighthouse; about 10 minutes. This incredible lighthouse on top of a bluff that overlooks the entire area looks more like a Europian castle than a lighthouse. It has 2 huge stone towers connected by a large stone building that servered as the quarters for 2 keepers families. Guests can climb the stairs to the top of the northern tower and visit the museum which is housed inside the large connecting building. Also on the grounds is a lifesaving shed houseing several examples of lifeboats.
Sea Girt Lighthouse; about one hour in winter, two in summer.
West- Another "Lighthouse", Conover Beacon, is in nearby Leonardo NJ near the Naval Weapons center. There are no keepers quarters and the beacon is mounted on a steel pipe tower. It looks like a giant periscope coming out of the sand.
Great Beds Lighthouse out in the Raritan Bay which can be seen from the South Amboy area.

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The Lighthouse Locator features a new lighthouse location every month.

The Lighthouse Locator Published and Photographed by F. Menke.
Last Updated Feb 22, 1997
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DIRECTIONS:
	The Sandy Hook lighthouse is located at the northern end of New Jersey's Atlantic Coast on the grounds of the Fort Hancock section of Gateway National Recreation area. (201)872-0115 On the New Jersey Parkway (toll road), you will see brown signs for Sandy Hook. Take exit 117 to route 35/36. It will cost you 25 cents to leave the Parkway. Follow route 36 east towards the Atlantic coast following the signs for Sandy Hook or the Navesink Lighthouse. (If you dont see any signs don't panic, just head west and stay on 36.) Route 36 will be a divided highway for a while passing strip malls, offices, used car lots, bars, and bait shops. At one point the highway will take a long curve to the right and on this curve is a Burger King. After which you will go up hill, and then come down the other side. The road becomes narrower and only one lane of traffic on each side. Soon you will come to a bridge, as you cross the bridge Sandy Hook will stretch northward to your left. Just before you cross the bridge there are a few small roads on the right. One of these roads goes up the mountain to the Navesink Lighthouse. Once across the bridge turn left and head North up the road to the gates for Sandy Hook. In winter there is usually no problem proceeding, but in summer the gate may be closed if the Hook becomes over crowded. Stay on the roads to the left side of the hook and head north, you really can't get lost because the hook is small. View a DeLorme Street Atlas Map You will need Street Atlas 3.0 or 4.0
WHILE YOU ARE THERE:
	Sandy Hook provides a great location for surf fishing, swimming, bird watching, and site seeing. The Hook is home to variety of vegetation and wildlife. You may even be surprised to find the ground carpeted with Opuntia cacti - or people swimming without bathing suits. Walking east away from the lighthouse you will come to the Atlantic Ocean. From the coastal beach looking east you can see Coney Island. On the Eastern interior side the Atlantic Highlands Rise in the distance as battle ships glide in and out of port. Hike Northward away from the lighthouse and you will find views of Staten Island and the Manhattan skyline.
	Leaving Sandy Hook and heading South West you will find the nearby town of Red Bank. Here you will find a variety of antique shops and a few resturaunts. Drive the back roads from the lighthouse to Red bank and you will pass by many large estates. Sandy Hook lighthouse is not the only lighthouse in the area. If you look closely at the crest of the Highlands you will see the Navesink lighthouse. The Navesink looks like a huge castle on the top of the hill. I would definitely recommend that you take the short drive to the top and visit. Another point of interest to lighthouse and nautical buffs may be the old life saving station which can be seen to the right along the coast as you drive to the lighthouse.