Georgetown in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Watching the Flames
Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail-War of 1812
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
On August 24, 1814, as word spread that the British were coming, Dr. William Thornton and his wife Anna Marie fled their downtown F Street home and took refuge here at Tudor Place, home of their friend Martha Parke Custis Peter. That night, Mrs. Thornton wrote, they looked out a window and “witnessed the conflagration of our poor undefended and devoted city.” Although only approximately 20 non-military structures were in flames, the scene must have been especially painful for Dr. Thornton, who had designed the U.S. Capitol as well as Tudor Place.
Saving Georgtown
Georgetown was not harmed during the invasion because Mayor John Peter, Martha Custis Peter’s nephew, promised British officers that Georgetowners would not resist if they left in peace.
In the summer of 1814, the United States had been at war with Great Britain for two years. Battlefronts had erupted from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. On August 24, following their victory over the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg, Maryland, British troops marched on Washington with devastating results.
[Caption:]
Dr. William Thornton and Anna Marie Thornton-Oils by Gilbert Stuart National Gallery of Art.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the Star Spangled Banner National Historic Trail series list.
Location. 38° 54.7′ N, 77° 3.758′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Georgetown. Memorial can be reached from 31st Street Northwest north of Avon Lane Northwest, on the left when traveling north. The location of the marker is on the left side of the fence near the entrance gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1644 31st Street Northwest, Washington DC 20007, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. South Lawn (within shouting distance of this marker); East Lawn (within shouting distance of this marker); Box Knot (within shouting distance of this marker); Cold Frames (within shouting distance of this marker); Kitchen Yard (within shouting distance of this marker); Garage (within shouting distance of this marker); Dumbarton Oaks (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Parrott Ropewalk (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 510 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 18, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 7, 8, 9. submitted on February 12, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.