|
 |
The Sandy Hook Proving Ground
From 1874 until 1920, the sound of gunfire and the smell of gunpowder filled the
air at the U.S. Army's first Proving Ground at Sandy Hook. Formally established
on August 7, 1874, by authority of the Secretary of War, the Sandy Hook Proving
Ground was in full operation by 1876 with the opening of the Officer's Quarters.
The Sandy Hook Peninsula met most of the requirements for a long sought
experimental testing area for heavy ordnance and was already government owned.
Originally, support buildings were kept to a minimum. The exception was the
Officers' Quarters, a large brick, Second Empire Style Victorian that overlooked
the Proof Battery and the Atlantic Ocean and was built as a bed and breakfast to
host dignitaries, officers and some of our nation's first "defense contractors".
The Sandy Hook Proving Ground continued its operations as a weapons test site
until 1920.
General order #57, dated October 30, 1895 actually designated the fortifications
as Fort Hancock, in honor of Major General Winfield Scott Hancock of Civil War fame.
A dual military command existed with The Sandy Hook Proving Ground continuing
to test ordnance equipment while the Coast Artillery Corps took over the harbor
defense mission of the New York Harbor.
|
|
