Fort McHenry, Maryland – Inspiring Our National Anthem
Nestled along the vibrant waterfront of Baltimore, Maryland, stands Fort McHenry National Park, a historical landmark that resonates with the spirit of American resilience and patriotism. This star-shaped fort, a prominent feature of the Baltimore skyline, is celebrated primarily for its pivotal role in the War of 1812. It was here, amid the thunderous barrage of British naval cannons, that Fort McHenry successfully defended Baltimore Harbor, a crucial port on the Chesapeake Bay. The valiant defense of Fort McHenry during this conflict ignited the creative spark within Francis Scott Key, inspiring him to pen the words that would become "The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States.
The story of Fort McHenry begins long before the War of 1812. During the American Revolution, Baltimore emerged as a vital naval center, contributing significantly to the burgeoning nation’s maritime power. Recognizing the strategic importance of the harbor, in the spring of 1776, a battery of eighteen guns was erected on Whetstone Point, a strategic location chosen to safeguard the entrance to the harbor. This rudimentary fortification marked the genesis of what would eventually evolve into the formidable Fort McHenry.
As the newly formed United States navigated the treacherous waters of international relations in the 1790s, the threat posed by Algerian pirates and French interference with American commerce prompted Congress to take decisive action. A program was authorized to construct six frigates and acquire merchant vessels for conversion into armed ships, signaling a commitment to protecting American interests on the high seas.
In 1794, the Federal Government initiated a comprehensive fortification program aimed at bolstering the defense of the Atlantic Coast. The city of Baltimore, recognizing the importance of a strong defense, offered the existing battery at Whetstone Point to the Federal Government, designating it "as a fort, or an arsenal for public defense." The strategic significance of Baltimore was further underscored by the construction or outfitting of eight warships within its shipyards, including the illustrious frigate Constellation, launched in 1797.
Baltimoreans, acutely aware of the need for robust protection for their vital port, fervently advocated for the construction of a more substantial fort. When informed that the Federal Government’s budget limited expenditure to $20,000, the resourceful citizens of Baltimore rallied together, raising the necessary funds to complete the construction of the present star fort, characterized by its imposing walls, thirty-five feet thick. The design of Fort McHenry was entrusted to Jean Foncin, a French engineer whose expertise contributed to the fort’s formidable structure. The fort was named in honor of James McHenry, a Scots-Irish immigrant, a surgeon-soldier who served with distinction in the American Revolution, and later, as Secretary of War under President George Washington. Construction commenced in 1798, and by 1803, the enduring masonry walls that define Fort McHenry today were completed, a testament to the collaborative effort of the Federal Government and the citizens of Baltimore.
The War of 1812, formally declared on June 18, 1812, by the United States against England, was driven by the imperative to "preserve Free Trade & Sailor’s Rights." Baltimore ship owners responded swiftly to Congress’s call, commissioning privateers to arm their swift sailing vessels and harass enemy shipping. In response, the British Navy blockaded the Chesapeake Bay to prevent these privateers from sailing. The people of Baltimore prepared for the inevitable conflict, and the British delayed any assault until their fleet in the Chesapeake was significantly reinforced in the summer of 1814.
In August 1814, British forces marched on Washington, D.C., triumphing over U.S. forces and setting fire to the Capitol building. With Washington D.C. subdued, the British turned their attention towards Baltimore, a strategic port city vital to American commerce and defense. A fleet of over fifty ships sailed up the Patapsco River, executing a coordinated attack against the city by land and sea.
The pivotal moment arrived on September 13-14, when the British launched their assault on Fort McHenry. The British hurled over 1,500 bombs, each weighing approximately 250 pounds, into the fort, yet the fort withstood the bombardment. The bombardment persisted relentlessly for over twenty-five hours. The climax of the struggle occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. on September 14, when the British attempted to land 1,250 marines, equipped with scaling ladders, in the fort’s rear. However, this maneuver was detected, and the converging crossfire from the fort and shore batteries further up the river compelled the British to abandon their attempt.
During the intense bombardment, Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, was aboard a British Troopship anchored several miles away, engaged in negotiations for the release of an American civilian. As dawn broke, Key’s eyes beheld the American flag still flying proudly above the fort. Inspired by the sight, he began to compose the verses that would become "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Following the War of 1812, advancements in coastal defense necessitated changes to the fort, including the addition of a second story with porches on the buildings and the completion of a new earthen battery with larger guns.
During the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), Fort McHenry served as a training base for federal units before their deployment to the southwest.
During the Civil War, Baltimore’s strategic importance as a rail and communications center led Union troops to occupy the fort and the city, ensuring Maryland remained under federal control. In 1861, several Maryland political figures suspected of Confederate sympathies were imprisoned at the fort to prevent them from inciting secession. Ironically, Francis Scott Key’s grandson, Francis Key Howard, was among these political detainees. The fort also served as an artillery training post and a military prison, housing nearly 7,000 Confederate soldiers following the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.
During the Spanish-American War in 1898, Fort McHenry served as a training post for the 6th U.S. Artillery before their deployment to Cuba. Additional forts were constructed along the Patapsco River to protect the approach to Baltimore.
By the late 19th century, Fort McHenry had diminished military value, and the last active garrison departed on July 20, 1912, concluding over 110 years of service. However, the government retained the land, and during World War I, the U.S. Army established General Hospital No. 2 on the site in 1917.
The 3,000-bed facility treated wounded soldiers returning from Europe and evolved into a major surgical center. After the war, the facility closed in 1922. The army began removing the hospital buildings, and in 1925, Fort McHenry was established as a national park under the War Department. Troops began the first restoration of the fort to its mid-19th-century appearance, and in the 1930s, members of the Works Progress Administration continued the efforts.
In 1933, Fort McHenry was transferred to the National Park Service and, in 1939, was designated as a National Monument.
During World War II, a portion of the fort was leased to the U.S. Coast Guard for port security work and as a fire training station aboard ships for nearly 28,000 U.S. Coast Guardsmen. They also kept a watchful eye on the nearby shipyards where Liberty ships were being built.
Today, the old star fort, with its officers’ and enlisted men’s barracks, powder magazines, and sally port, is in an excellent state of preservation. The park welcomes nearly 600,000 visitors annually.
The Visitor Center includes an orientation film, exhibits, and a gift shop. Museum exhibits are displayed in several buildings, which include uniform and weapons displays, military memorabilia, videos, and more.
More Information:
Fort McHenry National Monument
2400 East Fort Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21230-5393
410-962-4290