Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
SUSQUEHANNA
RIVER
Fort McHenry to Fell’s Point
Discover the War of 1812 on the Star-Spangled Banner National
waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region. Along the way, you’ll
follow the story of the United States National Anthem and the
citizens, soldiers, and leaders who faced British military might on
Havre de
Grace
MARYLAND
Fredericktown
Historic Trail — a path tracing troop movements through historic
places, inspiring landscapes, charming waterfront towns, and
Elkton
Georgetown
Baltimore
Baltimore Half-Day Tour
Fort McHenry to
Fell’s Point
Star-Spangled Banner Trail
Washington
D.C.
Annapolis
home territory just thirty years after the American Revolution.
From top, clockwise: Fort McHenry, The Star-Spangled Banner Flag
House, Fell’s Point, Baltimore Visitor Center
Star-Spangled Banner Trail
CHE
PAT U X E N T
RIVER
SA
PE
AK
E
BA
Y
POTOMAC
RIVER
VIRGINIA
Baltimore and the War of 1812
In September of 1814, with the U.S. Capitol still smoldering from
a recent attack, British forces focused on Baltimore. As the British
closed in, Baltimore prepared. Soldiers and militia built defensive
lines on land, placed obstacles in the harbor, and strengthened
the chain of forts protecting the city.
From September 12-14, the British attacked. Their forces landed
at North Point to strike the city from the east while the navy
launched an assault on Fort McHenry, which protected the
heart of the city. After two days of fighting, the defenders of
Baltimore proved victorious. As the British retreated, the StarSpangled Banner rose above Fort McHenry. The sight was a relief
and inspiration to Francis Scott Key, who witnessed the attack on
Fort McHenry from a ship in the Patapsco River. Key captured the
moment by writing the words to the Star-Spangled Banner, which
later became the national anthem.
www.starspangled.net
www.nps.gov/stsp
Explore the creation of the original
Star-Spangled Banner flag, the infamous
shipyards that made the city a target, and the
fort that endured British bombardment.
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
Wells and McComas
Monument
2
83
40
National Aquarium in Baltimore
2
S PR
LIG HT
PRATT
ESID
STAR-SPANGLED
BANNER FLAG
HOUSE AND MUSEUM
Star-Spangled Banner Trail
ST
FELL'S POINT
VISITOR
CENTER
H
KEY HWY
EAS TER N AVE
FLEE T ST
ENT
ER
Gin Riot Site
Hampstead Hill
S BROADWAY ST
E LO M B A RD S T
Baltimore
Visitor Center
(Total one-way route of approximately 4.5 miles)
Pride of Baltimore
Lightship Chesapeake and
7 Foot Knoll Lighthouse
Baltimore
Federal
Republican
INN
Fort McHenry to Fell’s Point
USS Constellation Museum
Indian Queen
Tavern Site
2
Baltimore Half-Day Tour
40
1
THAME S
A
Stodder
Shipyard Site
RB
OR
S CHAR LES ST
KE
YH
Douglass-Myers
Maritime Park
NORT
HW
ES
WY Baltimore Museum
of Industry
T
H
R
B
O
E FORT AVE
A
The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House (844 East Pratt Street) is the home of
seamstress Mary Pickersgill, who led the small team of women that created the enormous
American flag known as the Star-Spangled Banner. Learn about their story and Mary’s
successful business as a flagmaker for ships at Fell’s Point. Tours are kid-friendly and often
sell out. Book yours in advance by calling 410-837-1793. Walk or drive to Fort McHenry, a
distance of about 3.5 miles.
R
L AW
RE
Star-Spangled Banner Trail
If traveling by foot: You’ll pass the Baltimore Visitors Center (401 Light Street),
which is air conditioned with public restrooms. Ask if the Pride of Baltimore II, a
replica of an 1812 Fells Point schooner, is docked nearby. Thirty-minute deck tours
are available for all ages.
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Leone-Riverside Park/
Camp Lookout Site
E FO
ST
95
RT A
VE
3
2
IV
ER
C
PS
TA
PA
FORT MCHENRY NATIONAL MONUMENT
AND HISTORIC SHRINE
Chesapeake Bay Gateways
Star-Spangled Banner Trail
and Watertrails Network Sites
Interpretive Sign
Parkland
Land Route
Water Taxi Stop
Water Route
O
R
Ferry Point
Redoubt Site
Begin at the historic neighborhood of Fell’s Point. During the War of 1812, this
area was filled with shipyards that produced very fast ships. It was also home to privateers
who were authorized to attack and capture British ships. Today, Fells Point is noted for its
cobblestone streets, historic architecture, restaurants, and shops. Stop by the Fell’s Point
Visitor Center (1724-26 Thames Street). Then walk or drive to the Star-Spangled Banner
Flag House, a distance of about one mile.
0
0
.5
North
1 Kilometer
.5
1 Mile
Explore by water: Take the Baltimore Water Taxi to Fort McHenry. Closest stops to
the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House are at Harborplace, Harborplace East, and
Fells Point. Runs Memorial Day through Labor Day. Check www.baltimorewatertaxi.
com for schedule and ticket details.
The Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (2400 East Fort
Avenue) is a dramatic waterfront fort and site of the battle that inspired the national
anthem. Help raise a flag in the inner courtyard, wander open fields, and enjoy a tour.
Learn how the British attacked by land and by water, and how soldiers and citizen militia
defended the city.
Explore by water: If you arrived at the fort by water taxi, you can finish the loop by
taking the water taxi back to Fell’s Point.