Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Historic Frederick Barracks
War of 1812 Period
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 9, 2017
1. Historic Frederick Barracks Marker
Inscription.
Historic Frederick Barracks. War of 18 12 Period. The limestone barracks in front of you, built in 1778, is among the oldest and most important surviving American military structures in the nation. The barracks consisted of two L-shaped buildings, but only the eastern wing remains today. During the War of 18 12 waves of American troops from Maryland and Virginia encamped here on the way to Washington and Baltimore to repel British forces. , In addition to serving as a military command center and arsenal, the barracks aided in safeguarding Maryland state documents during the war, and holding captured British soldiers after the Battles of Bladensburg and Baltimore. , 1777 , As the American Revolution unfolded, the Maryland General Assembly authorized construction of the Barracks. , 1782 - 1783 , German prisoners of war captured by the Americans were quartered here at what later became known as the “Hessian Barracks.” , 1802 , Lewis and Clark used the barracks as a depot for supplies gathered to outfit their Corps of Discovery expedition to the American West. , 1812 - 1815 , By April 1812 United States troops were quartered here, among them the 6th U.S. Infantry, as well as militia from Maryland and Virginia. , 1850s , The Agricultural Society of Frederick County held their annual exposition here. This evolved into what is now the Great Frederick Fair. , 1861 - 1865 , Doctors nurses and volunteers cared for soldiers wounded at South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg, Monocacy, and other Civil War battles. , 1868 , The Maryland School for the Deaf occupied the barracks and surrounding property. To make way for the school's Main Building, the west wing of the barracks were dismantled.
The limestone barracks in front of you, built in 1778, is among the oldest and most important surviving American military structures in the nation. The barracks consisted of two L-shaped buildings, but only the eastern wing remains today. During the War of 1812 waves of American troops from Maryland and Virginia encamped here on the way to Washington and Baltimore to repel British forces.
In addition to serving as a military command center and arsenal, the barracks aided in safeguarding Maryland state documents during the war, and holding captured British soldiers after the Battles of Bladensburg and Baltimore.
1777 — As the American Revolution unfolded, the Maryland General Assembly authorized construction of the Barracks.
1782 - 1783 — German prisoners of war captured by the Americans were quartered here at what later became known as the “Hessian Barracks.”
1802 — Lewis and Clark used the barracks as a depot for supplies gathered to outfit their Corps of Discovery expedition to the American West.
1812 - 1815 — By April 1812 United States troops were quartered here, among them the 6th U.S. Infantry, as well as militia from Maryland and Virginia.
1850s — The Agricultural Society of Frederick County held their annual exposition
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here. This evolved into what is now the Great Frederick Fair.
1861 - 1865 — Doctors nurses and volunteers cared for soldiers wounded at South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg, Monocacy, and other Civil War battles.
1868 — The Maryland School for the Deaf occupied the barracks and surrounding property. To make way for the school's Main Building, the west wing of the barracks were dismantled.
Location. 39° 24.533′ N, 77° 24.582′ W. Marker is in Frederick, Maryland, in Frederick County. Marker is at the intersection of Clarke Place on Clarke Place. At the Maryland School for the Deaf. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Clarke Place, Frederick MD 21701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
In 1975 restoration crews found these vestiges of military life under the barracks floorboards: a uniform button, U.S. 6th Infantry Regiment; a Key; a Cabinet lock plate and a pottery shard.
Close-up of image on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 9, 2017
7. Commanding Position
During the War of 1812, the barracks held a commanding position near the junction of the roads to Baltimore and Washington — today's I-70 and 270 corridors.
Close-up of map on marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 340 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 12, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on January 17, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 12, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.