Fort Smallwood, Maryland — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Smallwood (Anne Arundel County, near Pasadena, Maryland)

Anne Arundel County, near Pasadena · Maryland · Spanish-American War

Quick BriefAn Endicott Period Coastal Fort established between 1896 and 1928 during the Spanish–American War era, Fort Smallwood was named for Revolutionary War Major General William Smallwood, commander of the "Maryland Line" regiment in the Continental Army who later became fourth governor of Maryland (1785–1788). Located on Rock Point at the mouth of the Patapsco River alongside other outer harbor defenses at Fort Howard and Fort Armistead, the fortification protected Baltimore from perceived Spanish threats. Two six-inch disappearing carriage guns were mounted here from 1900 to 1927.

Endicott SystemCoastal defenseOpen to visitors

History & Significance

In 1896, the U.S. Government acquired 100 acres of land at Rock Point and established a military garrison under the United States Coastal Artillery Corps known as Fort Smallwood. The military garrison was one of the four Endicott Period (1890-1910) fortifications built on the Patapsco River during the Spanish-American War era.

Together with Forts Howard, Armistead, and Carroll, Fort Smallwood formed a network of fortifications to protect Baltimore from perceived Imperialist threats by Spain. The fort was the location of Battery Hartshorne, named on November 18, 1902 in honor of Captain Benjamin M. Hartshorne Jr., 7th U.S. Infantry, who was killed on January 2, 1902, in action with insurgents near Lanang, Samar, Philippine Islands during the Philippine–American War.

By 1927, the United States War Department decided that coastal defenses along the Patapsco River were unnecessary and the property was acquired by Baltimore City for use as a public park. On April 1, 2006, it became a regional park in the Anne Arundel County Park System, after being transferred from the Department of Recreation and Parks of Baltimore City.

Key Facts

StateMaryland

LocationAnne Arundel County, near Pasadena

Established1896

Decommissioned1928

War / eraSpanish-American War

Current statusState or National Park

Coordinates39.164375, -76.47686667

Map

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

1890s Endicott Period coastal defense fort with historic gun batteries
Spanish-American War era military architecture protecting Baltimore harbor
Access to Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay waterfront
County park with recreational facilities and grounds to explore

Best time to visitSpring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer mild temperatures and lower humidity; summer can be hot and humid on the Chesapeake waterfront.

Getting thereNearest major airport is BWI (Baltimore/Washington International), approximately 16.5 km away; the fort is located near Pasadena in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

From the nearest major airportBaltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)🚗 17 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 31 min drive

Fort Smallwood (Anne Arundel County, near Pasadena, Maryland)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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