Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry
Name	Fort McHenry
Location	Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Built	1798–1803
Used	1803–1912
Type	Coastal fortification
Controlledby	United States Army
Battles	Battle of Baltimore
Designation1	NRHP
Designation1 date	October 15, 1966
Designation1 number	66000090
Designation2	NHL
Designation2 date	October 15, 1966

Fort McHenry. A historic star fort located in the Locust Point neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, it is best known for its role in the War of 1812. During the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814, its successful defense against a Royal Navy bombardment inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became the lyrics for "The Star-Spangled Banner." The site was designated a National Monument and Historic Shrine in 1925 and is administered by the National Park Service.

History

The need for the fort's construction emerged following the American Revolutionary War, as the young United States sought to protect its major ports. The site, then known as Whetstone Point, was selected for its strategic position at the entrance to the Baltimore Harbor and the Patapsco River. Named for James McHenry, a signer of the U.S. Constitution and Secretary of War under Presidents George Washington and John Adams, the fort replaced an earlier Revolutionary-era fortification named Fort Whetstone. Its establishment was part of a broader national program of coastal defense that included works like Fort Jay in New York Harbor.

Design and construction

Designed by French military engineer Jean Foncin, the fort is a classic example of a pentagonal star fort built in the First System of US seacoast fortifications. This design was intended to withstand sustained artillery bombardment and provide overlapping fields of fire. The primary building material was brick with stone foundations, and its most distinctive feature is the large bastion at each of the five points. Construction began in 1798 and continued under the direction of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, with significant contributions from Army engineer Jonathan Williams. The fort was essentially completed by 1803, though modifications continued for decades.

War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner

The fort's defining moment came during the War of 1812. Following the Burning of Washington in August 1814, British forces targeted Baltimore, a vital port and shipbuilding center. The Battle of Baltimore commenced with a naval assault on September 13–14, 1814. British warships, including the bomb vessel HMS ''Terror'', bombarded the fort from beyond the range of its guns. Under the command of Major George Armistead, the garrison withstood over 25 hours of shelling. The sight of the large garrison flag still flying at dawn inspired detained American lawyer Francis Scott Key to write "Defence of Fort M'Henry," later set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven" and renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Later military use

The fort remained an active military post for over a century after the War of 1812. It served as a military prison during the American Civil War, holding Confederate soldiers, Southern sympathizers, and political prisoners, including a Maryland state legislator. During World War I, the United States Army established U.S. Army General Hospital No. 2 on the grounds, treating thousands of returning Doughboys. It was also used as a Coast Guard training station. The army declared the fort surplus in 1912, ending its formal role as a coastal artillery post, though it saw temporary reactivations.

National monument and historic shrine

Preservation efforts, led by individuals like Eben Appleton, who owned the original Star-Spangled Banner flag, gained momentum in the early 20th century. The fort was transferred to the Department of the Interior and, on March 3, 1925, it was proclaimed a National Monument and Historic Shrine—the only such dual designation in the United States. Administered by the National Park Service, it underwent extensive restoration. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The fort is a major site for patriotic ceremonies and educational programs.

In popular culture

The image and legacy of the fort are deeply embedded in American culture. The event that inspired the national anthem of the United States is frequently referenced in historical documentaries, literature, and music. The fort has been depicted in films and television series about the War of 1812 and American history. Its most enduring popular culture presence is, of course, "The Star-Spangled Banner," performed at the opening of every major U.S. sporting event and official ceremony. The original flag that flew over the ramparts is a centerpiece of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C..

Category:Forts in Maryland Category:National Park Service National Monuments in Maryland Category:War of 1812 forts Category:National Historic Landmarks in Maryland