Then + Now: Fort McHenry

Constructed in 1798, Fort McHenry protected the city of Baltimore during the War of 1812. It went on to become a hospital during WWI and a training site for the US Coast Guard in WWII. In 1933, the fort was transferred to the National Park Service, becoming the first and only Historic Shrine.

Fort McHenry

Left image
1939 Photo from Fort McHenry, overlooking the Patapsco River with vessels in the background
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Modern image from same location at Fort McHenry, overlooking the river
Credit: NPS Photo

Southeast bastion of the Star Fort, overlooking the Patapsco River. Fort McHenry once protected the city of Baltimore from British naval attack during the war of 1812. After his experience at the 1814 Battle of Baltimore,Francis Scott Keys was inspired to write the famous words that became the U.S. national anthem:

"O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?"

Fort McHenry Flagpole

Left image
Ca. 1907-1915 image of the sally port from inside the Star Fort.
Credit: NPS/John Dubas

Right image
The famous flagpole that now stands inside the Star Fort is not at its existing location in the historic photo.
Credit: NPS Photo

The U.S. national anthem and the flag that inspired it are legacies of the War of 1812. British forces gathered to attack Baltimore in September 1814. After a 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry, they failed to penetrate Baltimore’s defenses and withdrew. Francis Scott Key, witnessing the bombardment and seeing a huge 30x42-foot American flag over the garrison, was moved to write four stanzas of lyrics to a popular tune of the day.

Both the flag and anthem have become known as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” In this comparison, you can see that the famous flagpole has changed locations over the years.

Star Fort

Left image
Ca. 1907-195 image shows the Star Fort walls and bomb proofs with Patapsco River in background
Credit: NPS Photo/John Dubas

Right image
A modern view of the Star Fort walls and bomb proofs
Credit: NPS Photo

Learn More

To learn more about Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, check out their website!

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