Fort McHenry

Baltimore's most famous landmark began in 1778 as an earthen fort to defend the harbor during the Revolutionary War. For many years it remained nameless. The young national government quickly recognized Baltimore’s importance as a harbor and the need to defend it. Jean Focin, a French engineer, was commissioned to build a new and better fort on the same site. By 1802 it was finished, complete with a name, Ft. McHenry, after Maryland's representative at the Constitutional Convention and Washington's secretary of war, James McHenry. The five brick faced bastions formed a star shape around the barracks, powder magazine, and soon famous flag pole. After burning Washington during the War of 1812 the British set their sights on capturing the prosperous port to the Northeast. September 13, 1814 the British attacked. The Americans under Lt. Col. George Amistad defended the fort throughout the night. The view of the bombardment from a British ship inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. Ft. McHenry was used on and off as a military post for the next 100 years, but never saw a real fight again. In 1925 it was designated a National Monument, and in 1939 it became a Historic Shrine. A Presidential Proclamation issued July 2, 1948 made it to be one a very few places allowed to fly the American flag 24 hours a day.

Facts and Figures

Directions

Hours:

Grounds: daily, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.;

Fort: daily, 8:00 A.M. to 4:45 P.M.; extended summer hours

Closed, December 25 and January 1.

Fees: Adults: $5, Children under 17: free

Info: (410) 962-4290

From northbound or southbound I-95, take exit 55 to Key Highway.
From Key Highway turn left on Lawrence Street and left on Fort Avenue.
Proceed one mile to the park.

From the Baltimore Inner Harbor, take Light Street south to Fort Avenue.
Turn left on Fort Avenue and proceed to the park.