Fort mchenry is a mustvisit for history buffs and firsttime visitors to baltimore. It was a glimpse of the american flag waving defiantly over the ramparts of fort mchenry that inspired francis scott key to compose our national anthem. Fort mchenry definition of fort mchenry by the free. He was s firstever history editor and has bylines in new york, the chicago tribune, and other national outlets. Adjacent to the fort is a thriving urban wetlands area at the southwest corner of the grounds. Fort mchenry tunnelhistory and technical info by roads to the future. Fort mchenry occupies a preeminent position among the historic shrines and monuments of our country by reason of its special meaning in american history. The wetland, originally established as a mitigation site when the nearby fort mchenry tunnel was built, has been enhanced by national park service volunteer jim peters, who has added native plants and bird boxes and a butterfly garden in this area. Increase the ezpass maryland discount from 10% to 25% for the baltimore harbor i895 and fort mchenry i95 tunnels, the francis scott key bridge i695, the thomas j. Baltimore was established by the constitution of maryland as an independent city in 1729. Fort mchenry tunnel maps, exits, plazas and traffic. The tunnel is the final link in the northeast corridors most important interstate route, interstate 95. If true, these ways must have been as busy as rush hour at the fort mchenry tunnel.
Fort mchenry national monument and historic shrine. On the afternoon of november 23, 1985, the eightlane fort mchenry tunnel was completed after more than five years of construction. The fort, like baltimore, was never attacked during our first conflict with england. Baltimorewashington expressway interstate 95 exits 56 to.
Fort mchenry national monument and historic shine, and the birthplace of the national anthem. Fort mchenry, in baltimore, maryland, is a star shaped fort best known for its role in the war of 1812 when it successfully defended baltimore harbor from an attack by the british navy in the chesapeake bay. Since the construction and improvements to the harbor tunnel thruway and the key bridge have been funded. Many books have celebrated the defense of fort mchenry during the war of 1812 and the birthplace of our national anthem, but no other provides the wealth of imagery contained within these pages. Discussion changing history the tunnel from federal hill to fort mchenry. Fort mchenry is a historical american coastal pentagonal bastion fort located in the locust. It was positioned on the locust point peninsula which juts into the opening of baltimore harbor, and was constructed in the.
It was first built in 1798 and was used continuously by the u. Pets are welcome on the fort grounds outside the historic area. An earthen star fort known as fort whetstone was quickly constructed. Find and book a hotel for tonight near the fort mchenry tunnel. Research report 199, realworld vehicle emissions characterization for the shing mun tunnel in hong kong and fort mchenry tunnel in the united states, presents a research project funded by the health effects institute and conducted by dr. Ready to hit the open road on your next rv adventure. The state of maryland originally intended to build the tunnel with a reinforced concrete box design, but plans were changed in february 1976 to use a steel tubular design after a dispute with the federal highway administration. The battle inspired francis scott key to pen what would become the national anthem, the star spangled banner originally entitled defense of fort mchenry. Discussion changing history the tunnel from federal hill. The british attack on fort mchenry sparspangled banner. Dont forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Delays near fort mchenry tunnel from diesel spill baltimore, md breaking. Work on the project began back in february of this year as part of. View to bunker and cannons at fort mchenry contributor names horydczak, theodor, approximately 18901971, photographer.
Fort mchenry synonyms, fort mchenry pronunciation, fort mchenry translation, english dictionary definition of fort mchenry. The battle of fort mchenry through francis scott keys eyes when the british army held francis scott key captive aboard one of their warships during the battle of baltimore, they could never have. Fort mchenry famous forts throughout american history. Mdta police from themdta on vimeo t he maryland transportation authority mdta police is nationally accredited and is the seventhlargest law enforcement agency in the state with more than 600 sworn and civilian professionals.
Rv trip wizard propane tanks in tunnels rv trip wizard. Aaa s baltimore travel guide offers all you need to plan and book your maryland vacation. Heavy delays are present on i95 south thursday morning leading to. On our way from ellicott city, md to north brunswick, nj we whisked down through the fort mchenry tunnel, a 7,200footlong, fourtube, 8lane, bidirectional tunnel that carries interstate i95 traffic underneath the baltimore harbor, in maryland. Cultural landscape report for fort mchenry national monument. Gerald ford and first lady betty ford wave arm in arm to the crowd during the 1975 independence day ceremonies at fort mchenry.
Named after a secretary of war during george washingtons administration, five sided fort mchenry replaced an earthen revolutionary war fort. The attack on fort mchenry in baltimores harbor was a pivotal moment in the war of 1812 and led to the u. Fort mchenry is open to the public yearround and offers visitor programs and special events that highlight the parks history. Baltimorewashington expressway interstate 95 exits 56 to 49 southbound. Fort mchenry tunnel, jct i395, downtown baltimore, baltimore inner harbor, jct baltimorewashington parkway, jct i. Fort mchenry tunnel news newspapers books scholar jstor july 2011 learn how and when to remove this template message. Fort mchenry is primarily known for the battle of baltimore during the war of 1812, when american troops stopped a british invasion. The battle of fort mchenry was fought september 14, 1814, during the war of 1812 18121815. The reason for the long gradual horizontal curve, was to avoid going through the fort mchenry land. As marylanders, we are stewards of one of the great sites of american history. In 1975, plans were changed from a bridge to a tunnel when it was determined that a bridge would have detrimental impact on fort mchenrys status as a national monument.
Fort mchenry is a historical american coastal pentagonal bastion fort located in the locust point neighborhood of baltimore, maryland. Were proud to tell the story of the preservation of fort mchenry and. When it opened, the fort mchenry tunnel was the widest underwater tunnel in the world, a title it still holds today. Fort mchenry baltimore fort mchenry national monument. The best fort mchenry national monument and historic. The fort mchenry tunnel is a fourtube, bidirectional tunnel that carries traffic on interstate 95. I have great difficulty seeing when 1st entering the fort mchenry tunnel. The opening of the fort mchenry tunnel during the early morning hours of nov. In 1986, a nonprofit organization known as fort mifflin on the delaware, was founded to serve as steward of the fort that saved america. Fort mchenry tunnel awning project a hoffman awning co. Discover librarianselected research resources on maryland history from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals.
Today fort mifflin hosts guided tours, living history programs, and a wide variety of events, including group tours, education programs, historic reenactments, scout programs, and paranormal investigations. Lower level george washington bridge i95 south and george washington bridge expressway. Construction of the fort mchenry tunnel began in 1980, ending a. Harbor tunnel thruway interstate 895 exits 8 to 14 northbound duration. Fort mchenrys history began in 1776 when the citizens of baltimore town feared an attack by british ships. Realworld vehicle emissions characterization for the. The immersed tubes of the 63rd street tunnel were fabricated at a shipyard in port deposit and then towed to new york city. It is best known for its role in the war of 1812, when it successfully defended baltimore harbor from an attack by the british navy from the chesapeake bay on september 14, 1814.
Fort mchenry national monument and historic shrine is located just outside baltimore, maryland, and is accessible by plane, car, or water taxi. The national park visitor center is accessible to wheelchair users, and the fort itself is mostly accessible. Fort mchenry national monument and historic shrine outdoorsy. Fort mchenry and baltimores harbor defenses md images. The tunnel crosses the patapsco river, just south of fort mchenry and connects the. Were proud to tell the story of the preservation of fort mchenry and the flag that inspired our national anthem. The fort mchenry tunnel is a fourtube, bidirectional tunnel that carries traffic on interstate 95 underneath the baltimore harbor. Fort mchenry national monument birders guide to maryland. Experience the best attractions, the top things to do with kids and fun things to do with friends and family, including outdoor activities, recreation, sightseeing and dining at local restaurants.
Railfanning baltimore marylands short line railroad, the canton railroad. A drive through the fort mchenry tunnel, baltimore, maryland. Named after james mchenry, a scotchirish immigrant and surgeonsoldier who became secretary of war under president washington, fort mchenry was built to defend the important port of baltimore from future enemy attacks, after america won its independence. Administered by the national park service since 1933, fort mchenry is the only area of the national park system to be designated both a national monument and historic shrine. Most of the fort mchenry tunnel is built on a very gradual horizontal curve, about 1. Fort mchenry and baltimores later harbor defenses played significant roles in our nations evolving military history and in the greater american drama. Consider stopping by to visit fort mchenry national monument and historic shrine. When it opened to traffic in november 1985, the fort mchenry tunnel was the largest underwater highway tunnel, as well as the widest vehicular tunnel built by. Built on a peninsula, fort mchenry was designed to block a naval advance on baltimore, maryland. History of fort mchenry fort mchenry national monument. They were floated and towed to the baltimore construction site using tugboats. Fort mchenry national monument and historic shrine is a unit of the.
Francis scott key wrote the starspangled banner during british bombardment in 1814. Fort mchenry national monument and historic shrine visit. There was also a large indentation on federal hill where part of the tunnel collapsed. Fort mchenry and baltimores harbor defenses history books. Were proud to announce that in the past several months, hoffman awning has been working closely with the maryland transportation authority to manufacture a striking new design above all 4 bores of the fort mchenry tunnel. Formerly a major industry in port deposit, wileys manufacturing, fabricated the fort mchenry tunnel sections. List of books and articles about maryland history online research. The battle of fort mchenry through francis scott keys. Fort mchenry tunnel map and exit list, including individual exit maps, service plazas, and traffic cameras, where available. The mdta police are responsible for law enforcement at the mdtas highways, tunnels and bridges. Part of the larger battle of baltimore, the battle of fort mchenry saw the forts garrison defeat a british fleet that had been advancing on the city. Traffic map on page load is centered on i95 baltimore at fort mchenry tunnel. These books will have limited use as supplemental material for history units and may be of local interest to some communities.