“Remember Major George Armistead” a voice echoes. That’s how Fort Armistead got its name. He commanded Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. The British Royal Navy attacked in September 1814. Francis Scott Key wrote “Defence of Fort M’Henry” after witnessing this battle. Later, it became “The Star-Spangled Banner”. It became the American national anthem in 1931.
Built from 1897 to 1901, Fort Armistead was part of the Endicott Program. This program aimed to provide coastal defenses. Fort Howard, Fort Carroll, and Fort Smallwood were also part of this defense system. Fort Armistead sits in the Hawkins Point area of Baltimore.
Fort Armistead boasted four gun batteries. Battery Winchester had a 12-inch M1888 disappearing gun. Battery McFarland featured three 8-inch M1888 disappearing guns. Battery Irons held two 4.72-inch 45 caliber Armstrong guns on pedestal mounts. Battery Mudge had two 3-inch M1898 guns on masking parapet mounts.
James Winchester inspired the name for Battery Winchester. He was a Maryland officer in the Revolutionary War and a general in the War of 1812. Daniel McFarland’s name lives on in Battery McFarland. He was an officer who died in the War of 1812. Joseph Irons’ sacrifice is remembered with Battery Irons. He was killed in the Mexican-American War. Battery Mudge honors Robert R. Mudge, who died fighting the Seminoles. The fort also managed a naval minefield.
After the Spanish-American War in 1898, Battery Irons was added. This addition was part of an effort to quickly deploy modern weapons. The Endicott Program was still underway. People feared the Spanish fleet might attack the U.S. In 1913, Battery Irons was disarmed. The guns were then sent to Fort Ruger in Hawaii.
When America joined World War I in 1917, many guns were removed. They might have been used on the Western Front. However, most never saw action overseas. The heavy guns around Baltimore were removed between 1917 and 1918. They never returned to the forts.
Battery McFarland’s three 8-inch guns were taken in 1917. They might have been used as railway artillery. The 12-inch gun from Battery Winchester was sent to Fort Wadsworth in New York. It replaced a gun sent to the railway artillery program.
Fort Armistead closed in 1920, after the war. Battery Mudge’s 3-inch guns were scrapped. This was part of a general removal of the 3-inch M1898 gun type.
During World War II, the military briefly used the fort again. The United States Navy stored ammunition there. A four-gun 90 mm anti-aircraft battery was on site from 1952 to 1954.
The United States Department of War abandoned Fort Armistead in 1923. Five years later, Baltimore’s Department of Recreation and Parks took over. Now, it is a Baltimore city park.
Visiting today, you might find it daring. The coastal fortifications are ruins now. They are overgrown, crumbling, and covered in spray paint. It can feel eerie exploring the tunnels.
Watch where you step. There may be broken glass. But during the day, there’s history to discover. You can wander around the old fort and admire the graffiti.
In the late 1800s, Fort Armistead, Fort Howard, Fort Carroll and Fort Smallwood guarded the entrance to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.