For it was here that, during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key, detained aboard a U.S. truce ship in the Battle of Baltimore, witnessed the enormous American flag still gallantly waving above the Fort while the British fleet was retreating from the Harbor. Several of the cannons still stand along the Fort s ravelin and bastions. Also, inside the Visitor s Center are genuine artifacts from the battle, including an actual British cannonball that failed to explode upon impact with the Fort. After the War of 1812, Fort McHenry would remain a military post for a hundred years. During the Civil War, it was occupied by Union forces who turned it into a prison camp for the incarceration of Confederate soldiers and southern allies.
Visitors can still get a firsthand look at the eerie underground cells.
From 1917 to 1923, the Fort served as the healing grounds for World War I troops as it was home to the U.S. Army General Hospital No. 2. Before touring the Fort visitors must first stop in the Visitor s Center. The Visitor s Center provides a look at some historical memorabilia, including battle scenes, clothing, weaponry, and a short but very interesting film explaining the history of the Fort. The Fort itself is a fascinating sight. Its star-like shape and towering American flag mark the southern edge of the Inner Harbor.