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 •
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Location. 39° 15.807′ N, 76° 34.8′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Locust Point Industrial Area. Marker can be reached from Fort Avenue. Marker is inside the star fort. 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. British Bomb (a few steps from this marker); Providing For The Common Defense (a few steps from this marker); Mortars vs. Guns (a few steps from this marker); Another Day on Duty… 1814 (a few steps from this marker); In Full Glory Reflected (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Guardhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); A Star Spangled Centennial (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort McHenry (within shouting distance of this marker); Bombproofs (within shouting distance of this marker); 1814 Enlisted Men's Barracks, No 2 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Photographed By William Pfingsten, September 16, 2007
2. Armistead's quarters were in left end of this building.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,159 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
