Francis Scott Key Buoy Marks the Spot

The commemorative buoy on Friday was placed in the approximate spot where Francis Scott Key penned the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The Francis Scott Key Memorial Buoy may not aid boaters in a navigational sense. But the red, white and blue buoy, now firmly anchored near the Francis Scott Key Bridge, does serve to remind boaters of the historical significance of the spot marked by the floating monument—it gently bobs in the approximate spot where Key penned the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812. Traveling across the Key bridge from Dundalk toward Glen Burnie, the buoy is visible over the right side of the span. Each year, the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James Rankin—a buoy tender also known as the Keeper of the Chesapeake Bay—sets the buoy in a ceremony witnessed by guests invited for the occasion. Placing such a buoy was the idea of …

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Stone's Station

County Delegation Seeking State Funds For Todd's Inheritance Renovation

This historic property on North Point Road between Edgemere and Fort Howard was an essential lookout point for American forces in the Battle of North Point in 1814.

As you may already be aware, next year marks the start of Maryland’s three-year celebration of the War of 1812 Bicentennial. These events are set to kick off in June 2012, which will coincide with the bicentennial of the declaration of war against Great Britain and Flag Day (June 14). I am sure most county residents are aware of the important role the property—known as Todd’s Inheritance, located on the North Point Peninsula—played in the War of 1812. This historic property was also an essential lookout point for American forces in the Battle of North Point in 1814.   The property’s strategic view of the Chesapeake allowed American mounted sentries to keep watch for invading British forces and help prevent them from overtaking Baltimore.  …

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