11 Amazing Facts About Fort McHenry That’ll Make You Go “Whoa”

“The Star-Spangled Banner” Was Written Here

But this star-shaped fort in Baltimore has done more than just inspire our national anthem.

From fighting the British Army, back in 1812, to helping many wounded soldiers during World War I, Fort McHenry has played a vital role in American history.

Let’s explore 11 amazing (and surprising) facts about this historic place.

A Star-Shaped Fort That Outsmarted the Enemy

The fort’s five-pointed star shape wasn’t just for looks, it was a smart battle plan that worked perfectly.

From any point in the fort, soldiers could target enemy ships trying to sneak into Baltimore’s harbor. The brick walls were incredibly strong with slopes backed by fill to deflect cannonballs.

When the British attacked in 1814, they fired over 1,500 shells at the fort, but most either missed or barely left a mark.

A Flag So Big You Could Park a Car on Each Star

Commander George Armistead wanted a flag the British couldn’t miss, so he asked Mary Pickersgill to make something special.

She created a huge 30×42-foot flag with her family in just six weeks. Mary Pickersgill’s flag had 15 massive stars, one for each state in the Union.

The stars were made from wool to ensure the flag could weather the years.

From Fighting Fort to Healing Hospital

During World War I, Fort McHenry turned into a huge hospital called General Hospital No. 2.

The fort’s peaceful grounds helped over 32,000 patients to recover from the war. Doctors tried new ways to help soldiers heal, including special gardens where patients could exercise and relax.

This changed how military hospitals treated wounded soldiers.

Prison Cells in Surprising Places

During the Civil War, the fort’s thick-walled rooms that once stored gunpowder became prison cells.

These rooms were perfect for holding prisoners because their walls were 15 feet thick and had good air flow.

Important people were kept here, including Baltimore’s police chief and newspaper editors who supported the South.

Secret Tunnels Under the Fort

Part of Fort McHenry’s design included tunnels and underground chambers as a defensive strategy. These passages weren’t for escaping, but also to prepare and ponder.

It helped soldiers identify when enemy diggers would try to sneak under the fort. If they heard digging, they would flood the tunnels or cause explosions to stop the enemy.

A Fort Named After Someone Who Never Saw It

James McHenry never visited the fort that bears his name. As Secretary of War under Presidents Washington and Adams from 1796 to 1800, he approved the fort’s construction in 1798.

McHenry helped write the Constitution and worked hard to protect America’s harbors, but he never saw how his planning helped save Baltimore.

The Fort Kept Its Own Special Time

For over 70 years, Fort McHenry ran on its own clock. Each morning and evening, the fort fired guns to help ships and local merchants set their clocks.

Sometimes the fort’s time was different from Baltimore’s time by up to 12 minutes, but ships relied on these signals to keep accurate time.

A Missing Lighthouse With a Story

In 1855, workers built a 35-foot brick lighthouse at Fort McHenry to guide ships. For 74 years, this eight-sided tower helped boats navigate Baltimore’s harbor safely.

Today, visitors can still see where the lighthouse stood and learn about the families who kept it running.

Fighting Wind and Waves

While Fort McHenry won its battle against the British, it’s had a harder time fighting nature. The fort sits by the water, where waves and storms constantly wear away at its walls.

In 1881, parts of the wall were falling into the river, but today special materials and clever engineering help protect the fort.

Built by Revolutionary War Heroes

Some of the men who built Fort McHenry had fought in the Revolutionary War. Their battle experience helped them design better walls and gun positions.

One builder, John Rothrock, had survived the harsh Baltimore winter at Valley Forge before contributing to its construction.

Baltimore’s First Weather Watchers

In 1817, Fort McHenry started Baltimore’s first weather station. Soldiers took notes about temperature, wind, and rain three times every day. These detailed records, kept until 1895, helped scientists understand how weather patterns in Baltimore have changed over time.