Locust Point Industrial Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Commanding Officer’s Quarters
Photographed by William Pfingsten, September 16, 2007
1. Commanding Officer's Quarters Marker
The rooms on the left end of this building stood as a separate structure during the 1814 period. This was the residence of Major George Armistead, commanding officer and “Hero of Fort McHenry.”
It was Armistead who directed the successful defense of Fort McHenry in 1814. He also ordered the making of a large flag to defy the attacking British—the same flag that inspired Francis Scott Key. Armistead’s wife Louisa and their two year-old daughter probably did not stay here often. There was little privacy, and the attic bedrooms were too hot to use in summer. We know that at the time of the British bombardment, the family was evacuated to Gettysburg, where Louisa gave birth to a daughter one day after the American victory here.
Armistead’s tireless efforts at Fort McHenry left him exhausted and unable to regain his health; he died in 1818.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Forts and Castles • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Fort McHenry series
this page online
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 15.807′ N, 76° 34.8′ W. Marker was in Baltimore, Maryland. It was in the Locust Point Industrial Area. It could be reached from Fort Avenue. Marker is inside the star fort. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 2400 E Fort Ave, Baltimore MD 21230, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Central Maryland. It was also in the American Mid-Atlantic, in the Chesapeake Bay Region, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: British Bomb (a few steps from this marker); Providing For The Common Defense (a few steps from this marker);
Photographed by William Pfingsten, September 16, 2007
2. Armistead's quarters were in left end of this building.
Other markers no longer nearby. Powder Magazine (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Star-Spangled Banner (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Civil War Guardhouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,533 times since then and 88 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.
