Locust Point Industrial Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Civil War Guardhouse

Photographed by William Pfingsten, September 16, 2007

1. Civil War Guardhouse Marker

Inscription.
Fort McHenry has had several guardhouses. This one, built in 1835 and enlarged in 1857, is one of the best preserved buildings in the star fort. Soldiers on duty in this room guarded military offenders in the adjacent cells.

During the Civil War, Fort McHenry served as a transfer point for Confederate prisoners of war, most of whom were kept in buildings and stockades outside the star fort. High-security prisoners were locked up here.

In the city, civil rights were suspended at times during the turbulent war years. Citizens suspected of contributing to the rebellion were detained at Fort McHenry. Political prisoners included Baltimore’s mayor and chief of police, Washington's mayor, and—ironically—a grandson of Francis Scott Key.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Fort McHenry series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 39° 15.801′ N, 76° 34.778′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Locust Point Industrial Area. It can be reached from East Fort Avenue. Marker is inside the star fort at

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Fort McHenry. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore MD 21230, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In Full Glory Reflected (a few steps from this marker); Bombproofs (a few steps from this marker); Ravelin Magazine (a few steps from this marker); 1814 Enlisted Men's Barracks, No 2 (a few steps from this marker); Fort McHenry (a few steps from this marker); A Star Spangled Centennial (a few steps from this marker); Mortars vs. Guns (a few steps from this marker); Commanding Officer’s Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Other markers no longer nearby. Star-Spangled Banner (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Ravelin (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by William Pfingsten, September 16, 2007

2. Guardhouse

Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,957 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on April 6, 2024, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.