Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The City Spared

Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail

— War of 1812 —

The City Spared Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 17, 2023

1. The City Spared Marker

Inscription. British vessels anchored offshore several times in 1813 and 1814, giving Annapolis good reason to expect an attack. Lookouts watched enemy maneuvers from the statehouse dome. Public records were removed from the city for safekeeping. When British warships came into view after the invasion of Washington, many frightened residents fled.

Annapolis celebrated news of the war’s end in February 1815---grateful the danger had passed.

“As we passed the picturesque town of Annapolis…we could plainly perceive the inhabitants flying in all directions.”
British midshipman Robert J. Barrett, September 1814.

(Inscription beside the image in the center)

Maryland’s capital city, as elsewhere, celebrated news of the peace treaty.

Places to visit-Many Annapolis building have War of 1812 connections. Francis Scott Key attended school at St. John’s College and was married at Chase-Lloyd House. War issues were debated in the statehouse, and the dome was an observation post. The U.S. Naval Academy, built on grounds of Fort Severn, has War of 1812 collections on display.

Erected by National Park Service-United States Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

In addition, it is included in the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1815.

Location. 38° 58.722′ N, 76° 29.646′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is on West Street. The marker is located at the rear of the Annapolis Visitor Center near the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 26 West Street, Annapolis MD 21401, 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: The Claude House (a few steps from this marker); Congress Was Here (a few steps from this marker); A Community Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Lot 70 Is Historically Significant (within shouting distance of this marker); Marion Warren's six photographs capture this historic Annapolis neighborhood in a sleepier time (within shouting distance of this marker); Reynold's Tavern (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Southgate Memorial (about 400 feet away); The Maryland Inn (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.

Also see . . .
1. Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, National Park Service. (Submitted on September 22, 2019.)
2. Star-Spangled Banner Byway, Maryland Scenic Byways. (Submitted on September 22, 2019.)

Photographed by Don Morfe, December 26, 2014

2. The City Spared Marker

The City Spared Marker, right half image. Click for full size.

National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, June 30, 2019

3. The City Spared Marker, right half

The following locations are identified in the map: Annapolis Maritime Museum, Annapolis Visitor Center, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail, Chase-Lloyd House [Maryland Avenue], City Dock, Jonas Green Park, Maryland State House, Roots and Tides Scenic Byway, St. John's-McDowell Hall Cannon, Star-Spangled Banner Trail, USNA Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center, USNA Bancroft Hall, USNA Fort Severn Plaque, USNA HMS Confiance Cannon, USNA HMS Cyane 32-pound Carronades, USNA MacDonough Hall Flag Collection, USNA Macedonian Monument, USNA Mahan Hall Trophy Flag Collection, USNA Museum Preble Hall, USNA Tecumseh Statue, USNA Tripoli Monument.

Photographed by Don Morfe, December 26, 2014

4. The City Spared Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 706 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 26, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on December 28, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on September 22, 2019. 4. submitted on December 28, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.