BARNEGAT BAY, NJ – Hankins Island, officially known as Middle Sedge Island in Ocean County, New Jersey, holds a unique place in the region’s history, marked by natural beauty and the remnants of human habitation. This small island, nestled in the Barnegat Bay, has become a sanctuary for various bird species, standing out with its single abandoned house.
Originally part of the vast coastal marshlands, Hankins Island was one of the many sedge islands dotting the Barnegat Bay. These islands, formed over centuries, played a crucial role in the local ecosystem, providing habitat for a diverse range of wildlife and serving as natural barriers against coastal storms.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as Ocean County developed, these islands caught the attention of developers and private owners. Middle Sedge Island, like its counterparts, saw a period of human activity. The now-abandoned house on the island is a relic of this era, a time when such islands were seen as idyllic retreats from the mainland’s hustle and bustle.
However, the house’s fate changed dramatically with Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The devastating storm, which impacted much of the Eastern Seaboard, severely damaged the structure, rendering it uninhabitable. Since then, the house has remained untouched, a silent witness to the storm’s power.
Today, due to strict environmental regulations aimed at preserving the natural habitat and preventing further ecological damage, the house is unlikely to be restored. These regulations reflect a growing awareness of the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems and the wildlife they support.
Hankins Island, now mostly a haven for birds, stands as a symbol of nature’s resilience and the delicate balance between human development and environmental conservation. Its history, from a coveted private property to a sanctuary left to the whims of nature, mirrors the broader narrative of many such islands along the New Jersey coast. As it remains largely untouched by human hands, Hankins Island continues to be a point of interest for nature enthusiasts and a stark reminder of nature’s enduring power.