Rodgers’ Bastion Cannon Memorial (Baltimore, MD)
 |
View Larger Map |
Location
E Pratt Street & S Patterson Park Avenue, inside the park next to the observatory
GPS: 39° 17′ 23.45″ N 76° 35′ 1.62″ W
History
In 1814, after the sacking of Washington, British troops marched on Baltimore, attacking by sea and by land. Britain wished to put an end to American privateering, and considered Baltimore’s port to be a haven for pirates. They attempted to sail past Fort McHenry, while sending ground troops through, what was then known as, North Point. The two-pronged attack was doomed to fail. Commodore John Rodgers, a famous Navy General, was in command of ground troops stationed on Hampstead Hill in Patterson Park. He had over 12,000 volunteers and 100 cannons, strategically placed, ready to defend downtown. On the way into Baltimore, British General Robert Ross, who defeated Napoleon, was shot and killed by two local teenagers, Henry McComas and Daniel Wells. Coupled with a major storm and little support from their flotilla, the British army had considerable problems passing Rodgers’ Bastion, and were forced to retreat. The giant flag still hung at Fort McHenry the next day, and the Star-Spangled Banner had been written. America was safe, and the defense of Baltimore had been successful. The cannon monument was dedicated in 1914 during the centennial celebration of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Notes
Just off the northwest entrance to Patterson Park, the monument stands below the pagoda. The Star-Spangled Banner Memorial rests a few paces northeast and several more cannons flank the entrance to the bastion. The location provides an impressive view of the park and city beyond.
Nearby
Links
- On Panoramio & Flickr
- Article at pattersonpark.com
- Dundalk-Patapsco Neck historical society