Fort Howard (Baltimore County, Maryland)
Baltimore County · Maryland · War of 1812, Spanish-American War, World War II
History & Significance
The North Point peninsula, known as North Point until 1902, was the landing site of approximately 4,500 British forces on September 12, 1814—the largest invasion in United States history. The Department of War acquired the site in 1896 for coastal artillery fortifications constructed in the Endicott system, with reinforced concrete batteries completed in 1902.
Five of the six batteries were named in honor of War of 1812 figures including Francis Scott Key, General John Stricker, and Judge Joseph Nicholson. Four companies of Coast Artillery Corps manned the fort, operating 12-inch disappearing rifles, mortars, and rapid-fire weapons.
Fort Howard served as headquarters of the newly formed Third Corps Area in 1920 and as headquarters of Baltimore's Coast Defenses in 1922; General Douglas MacArthur maintained headquarters at the site from 1925 to 1928. During World War II, the fort held German prisoners of war and Japanese and German "enemy aliens."
The installation transferred to the Veterans Administration in 1940. The artillery fortification portions were transferred to Baltimore County in 1975 for use as a historical park.
Key Facts
Map
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🧳 Visiting
What you’ll see when you visit:
- Preserved earthen and brick artillery batteries overlooking Baltimore Harbor
- War of 1812 and Spanish-American War fortifications
- Views across North Point peninsula toward the harbor
- Historical markers detailing 19th and 20th-century military operations
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Howard_(Maryland)
- https://baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/recreation/parks-directory/fort-howard-park
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=68401
- https://explore.baltimoreheritage.org/items/show/191
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Howard_Veterans_Hospital
- https://www.va.gov/maryland-health-care/about-us/history/
- https://www.fortwiki.com/Fort_Howard_(1)
- https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/MarylandBrownfieldVCP/Documents/www.mde.state.md.us/assets/document/Fort%20Howard.pdf