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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic) |
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Cistern and Well
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By Paul Jordan, August 4, 2010 | |
| | | 1. Cistern and Well Marker | | |
Inscription. Fort McHenry was surrounded by water, but none of it was fit to drink. In the early years, soldiers rowed into Baltimore to fill casks with fresh well water. They also collected rainwater from the barracks' roofs in a cistern located in this corner of the star fort.
When a British attack seemed imminent in 1813, the Army began work on a more reliable water source. On the parade behind you they dug a well. The shaft descended 95 feet (29m) through layers of earth, mud, foul water, and clay until it reached pure water.
Today the cistern and well are no longer visible, but archeological investigations in 1978 have confirmed their existence.
(inset)
The stairs ahead lead to Bastion No. 4 and a fine view of the outer artillery battery and the harbor.
From there you may walk to your right along the rampart to Bastion No. 3, where the British scored a direct hit on an American gun emplacement.
Location. 39° 15.781′ N, 76° 34.795′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. Click for map. The marker is at the edge of the Parade Ground between the two buildings that are the enlisted men's barracks. Marker is in this post office area: Baltimore MD 21230, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance| | | | 
By Paul Jordan, August 4, 2010 | |
| | | 2. Cistern and Well Marker | | |
of this marker. 1814 Enlisted Men's Barracks, No 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); In Full Glory Reflected (within shouting distance of this marker); Mortars vs. Guns (within shouting distance of this marker); Direct Hit (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Guardhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Star-Spangled Banner (within shouting distance of this marker); Powder Magazine (within shouting distance of this marker); Commanding Officer’s Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker). Click for a list of all markers in Baltimore.
Also see . . .
1. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. National Park Service (Submitted on August 19, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A..)
2. Battle of Baltimore. HistoryCentral.com (Submitted on August 19, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A..)
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By Paul Jordan, August 4, 2010 | |
| | | 3. Cistern and Well Marker Near the Enlisted Men's Barracks | | |
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By Craig Swain, May 16, 2010 | |
| | | 4. Marker and Location of Cistern | | The cistern and well have been covered with reconstructions at the fort. However the location was confirmed with archeological excavations. | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on August 19, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. This page has been viewed 450 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 19, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. 4. submitted on August 22, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
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