Locust Point Industrial Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Providing For The Common Defense
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2023
1. Providing For The Common Defense Marker
Not all of the gunpowder stored in the magazine was for artillery use; some of it was used to make musket cartridges. On July 11, 1814, Major Armistead was ordered to prepare 320,000 rounds, and just four days later the first 20,000 had been made. This building became the ammunition depot for the entire defense of Baltimore.
After the battle Major Armistead had the magazine repaired and the walls doubled to the current size. In 1863 a larger magazine was built outside the fort walls near the present-day main gate, (still standing). During World War I coal, used to heat the interior buildings of the fort, was stored in this room.
"We are here all hurry and confusion. I have at this moment the command of 60 men making musket cartridges…"
Captain Frederick Evans
August 26, 1814
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War of 1812. A significant historical date for this entry is July 11, 1814.
Location. 39° 15.806′ N, 76° 34.809′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Locust Point Industrial Area. Marker can be reached from East Fort Avenue east
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. British Bomb (here, next to this marker); Commanding Officer’s Quarters (a few steps from this marker); Mortars vs. Guns (a few steps from this marker); Another Day on Duty… 1814 (within shouting distance of this marker); In Full Glory Reflected (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Guardhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); 1814 Enlisted Men's Barracks, No 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); A Star Spangled Centennial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
More about this marker. The left side of the marker contains "Visual instructions for musket cartridge making and ball casting."
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2023
2. Providing For The Common Defense Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2023
3. Marker in Fort McHenry
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2023
4. Inside the Magazine of Fort McHenry
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2023
5. Marker inside the Magazine
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on April 6, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 26, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
