Locust Point Industrial Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Orpheus
The heroic bronze figure in front of you is not, as many suppose, a likeness of Francis Scott Key. The statue represents Orpheus, the artful poet, musician, and singer of Greek Mythology.
In 1914 Congress appropriated funds for a monument at Fort McHenry to mark the centennial of the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the defense of Baltimore. Orpheus with the Awkward Foot, the creation of sculptor Charles H. Niehaus, was selected from thirty four designs submitted in a national competition.
Orpheus is depicted playing a lyre, and stands twenty-four feet from head to toe. The marble base bears a medallion honoring Francis Scott Key, flanked by a procession of allegorical figures. The pedestal contains a time capsule filled with documents of patriotic and historical interest. In 1962 the statue was moved here from its original site near the fort's principal entrance.
[Caption:]
President Warren G. Harding headed the list of dignitaries at the unveiling ceremonies on June 14, 1922. The speech he delivered here was the first by a U.S. President to be broadcast on coast-to-coast radio.
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 • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #29 Warren G. Harding, the Maryland, Fort McHenry, and the Time Capsules series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1895.
Location. 39° 15.858′ N, 76° 34.933′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Locust Point Industrial Area. Marker is on East Fort Avenue. Marker and statue are in Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. This Tree Dedicated to General John Stricker (here, next to this marker); This Tree Dedicated to Colonel George Armistead (here, next to this marker); This Tree Dedicated to Major J.J. Ulrich Rivaldi (a few steps from this marker); Francis Scott Key (a few steps from this marker); This Tree Dedicated to Colonel Joseph Sterett (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Orpheus (a few steps from this marker); This Tree Dedicated to Colonel William Steuart (a few steps from this marker); Lieutenant John Frazier (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Regarding Orpheus. Statue was dedicated in 1922 to Francis Scott Key and the soldiers and sailors who took part in the Battle of North Point and the defense of the fort during the War of 1812.
Also see . . . Charles Henry Niehaus (1855–1935). (Submitted on November 22, 2006.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,419 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 22, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 2. submitted on August 24, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 27, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 22, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.