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Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Photo by National Park Service Digital Image Archives.

Top 10 Sensational Facts about the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is a fort located in Locust Point, Baltimore, Maryland. The fort successfully defended Baltimore from a British attack during the War of 1812. The war inspired the writing of ‘The star-spangled banner’ by Francis Scott Key.

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine was built in 1798. The purpose of the fort was to guard the inner harbor of Baltimore at a bend in the Patapsco River. It was continuously occupied by the United States armed forces during World War 1. During World War 2, it was occupied by the Coast Guard.

The fort was designated as a national park in 1925 because of the rich history it holds. In 1939, it was redesignated as a ‘National Monument and Historic Shrine’. Let us now look at the Top 10 Sensational Facts about the Fort

1. It is named after James McHenry

Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland. Photo by Ken Lund. Wikimedia Commons.

Fort McHenry was named after James McHenry. James was an American statesman. He was a Scot-Irish immigrant and a surgeon-soldier. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland and a signer of the United States Constitution. 

He was later appointed as the United States Secretary of War between 1796 and 1800. He served as the secretary of war under Presidents George Washington and John Adams.

2. It was used as a prison for detention

The site where fort McHenry sits served as a prison during the American civil war.it was used to confine soldiers as well as political figures of Maryland. These were politicians who were suspected to be confederate sympathizers.

Some of them were Mayor George William Brown and police commissioner George Kane. Some of the cells that were used then still exist today. If you plan to visit Fort McHenry do not forget to check out these cells.

3. Events on the fort inspired the writing of the U.S. national anthem

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Photo by National Park Service Digital Image Archives.

During the war of 1812, an American storm flag was flown over Fort McHenry during the encounter. The flag was 17 by 25 feet. This flag was later replaced by a larger American flag, 30 by 42 feet. This occurred on the morning of September 14^th, 1814.

The larger flag symbolized the American victory over the British in the Battle of Baltimore. These events inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem ‘Defense of Fort M’Henry’. The poem was set to the tune of ‘To Anacreon in Heaven’ and became known as ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’, the national anthem of the United States.

4. The man behind the national anthem

Francis Scott Key was a Washington lawyer. He was at Fort McHenry to negotiate the release of one Dr. William Beanes. William was a civilian who had witnessed the bombardment from a nearby ship. The huge American flag that inspired the composing of the anthem was sewn by Mary Pickersgill for 405.90 U.S. dollars.

When Francis Scott Key saw the flag emerge intact on 14^th September 1814, he was touched. He was so moved that he composed the ‘Defence of McHenry’ that was later renamed ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’.

5. It was under attack by the British for 25 hours

The attack began on 13^th September 1814 at six in the am. The British warships were under the command of Admiral Alexander Cochrane. They continuously bombarded Fort McHenry for 25 hours. The British guns had a range of 2 miles while the rockets had a range of 1.75 miles.

However, the firing of the rockets and the guns was not accurate. The British ships were unable to penetrate the defense at Fort McHenry. Little damage was done to either side, the British ammunition was depleted and they ceased the attack on 14^th September 1814.

6. The fort was designed by Jean Foncin

The fort was designed by the French Engineer Jean Foncin. Mortar and brick ramparts were utilized in the construction. The fort was five-sided with diamond-shaped bastions at each corner. This was a common design during those days. Inside the fort were the soldier’s barracks, officer’s quarters, powder magazine, and commander’s quarters.

7. Fort McHenry served as an artillery-making ground

Fort mc henry cannon Baltimore. Photo by Unknown. .

It is believed that Fort McHenry is the origin of Rodman guns. The guns are even displayed at Fort McHenry today. Rodman guns were designed by artilleryman Thomas Jackson Rodman. The gun was designed to fire both shots and shells. Rodman guns are very heavy.

Since they cannot be lifted or carried out, they were mounted. The plan was to have rodman guns mounted at the seacoast to fortify and protect. The guns were built in 8-inch, 13-inch, 15-inch, and 20-inch bores.

8. The fort was made a national park in 1925

On August 1th 1939 it was redesignated a national monument and historic shrine. This is because it was deemed worthy of preservation for its historical significance. Being the very place where the national anthem was composed and put together, Fort McHenry is very important to national history. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15^th, 1966.

9. Newly designed flags in the U.S. have to be flown over Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Photo by National Park Service Digital Image Archives. .

It has become a national tradition that when a new flag is designed it first flies over Fort McHenry. The first official 49 and 50-star American flags were flown over the fort. They are still located at Fort McHenry national monument and historic shrine.

10. There was a plan to turn the fort into a hospital

During World War 1, hundred buildings were built on the land surrounding the fort. The plan was to convert the entire facility into an enormous U.S. Army hospital. This was for the treatment of troops returning from the European conflict. The plan however did not come to fruition. None of the buildings remain standing today.