Fort Hancock, in Sandy Hook, NJ, is a former US Army fort and coastal artillery base that defended the Atlantic coast and the entrance to New York Harbor through two world wars. It was decommissioned as an active US Army installation in 1974 and is now part of the National Parks of New York Harbor under the National Park System. As such, it draws crowds of tourists, particularly during the summer. 

I’d never visited the fort but took a trip there in November 2020, with an open mind full of curiosity, as always. I did not expect to fall in love with this beautiful, deserted place that I had to myself that day. The fort appeared as a small ghost town, with the homes of Officer’s Row facing the bay and surrounding a large courtyard. Exploring the fort was peaceful and a bit eerie at the same time, as I could picture the army families occupying these crumbling homes that were built between 1898 and 1910. I was pleased to see that the fort is going through some much needed repair, and I look forward to seeing how the fort changes with the seasons. Something tells me I’ll love this bare-tree look the best.