Locust Point Industrial Area in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Orpheus… Hero of Music and Poetry

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012

1. Orpheus... Hero of Music and Poetry Marker

Inscription.
In 1916 the Fine Arts Commission sponsored a national competition for a statue to honor Francis Scott Key and the defenders who protected Baltimore during the War of 1812. It chose "Orpheus" by Charles Niehaus.

America's involvement in World War I delayed the completion of the statue. Dedicated on Flag Day, June 14, 1922, and originally placed in the middle of the entrance road, it was moved to its current location in 1962.

Orpheus and the surrounding grove of Flowering crabapple trees show the transformation of Fort McHenry from an active military base to a place of reflection and commemoration.

[Side bar:]
For many years the Orpheus statue has served as the centerpiece for the annual commemoration of the Battle of Baltimore.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War of 1812. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1807.

Location. 39° 15.867′ N, 76° 34.912′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the Locust Point Industrial Area. Marker can be reached from East Fort Avenue. 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

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walking distance of this marker. This Tree Dedicated to George Washington (a few steps from this marker); Colonel James McHenry (a few steps from this marker); This Tree Dedicated to Major Richard Heath (a few steps from this marker); This Tree Dedicated to Colonel Joseph Sterett (a few steps from this marker); Francis Scott Key (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant John Frazier (within shouting distance of this marker); This Tree Dedicated to Major J.J. Ulrich Rivaldi (within shouting distance of this marker); Orpheus (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012

2. Orpheus... Hero of Music and Poetry Marker

Orpheus statue (Francis Scott Key Memorial) with marker in the foreground at Fort McHenry image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012

3. Orpheus statue (Francis Scott Key Memorial) with marker in the foreground at Fort McHenry

Francis Scott Key Memorial (Statue of Orpheus) at Fort McHenry image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012

4. Francis Scott Key Memorial (Statue of Orpheus) at Fort McHenry

Francis Scott Key on the Memorial at Fort McHenry image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012

5. Francis Scott Key on the Memorial at Fort McHenry

Orpheus statue atop the Francis Scott Key Memorial at Fort McHenry image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, October 13, 2012

6. Orpheus statue atop the Francis Scott Key Memorial at Fort McHenry

Charles Niehaus and his statue of Orpheus, from Art and Archaeology, Vol. VI, No.1, July 1917 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne

7. Charles Niehaus and his statue of Orpheus, from Art and Archaeology, Vol. VI, No.1, July 1917

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 748 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on March 27, 2022, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 21, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.