Star-Spangled Banner - Star-Spangled Banner 2018
About The Trail: From Perilous Fight To ‘proudly We Hailed’
2018-06-14 06:56:12
YOUR STAR-SPANGLED ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
A trip along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail reveals the dramatic story and milestones of a defining moment in America’s development as a nation. In a mere 560 miles (give or take a few sidetracks), guests can easily follow trail signs and explore places on the Chesapeake Bay that were pivotal to the outcome of the War of 1812.
The trail follows convenient land routes and boater-friendly waterways linking sites in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Historic landmarks, parks, museums and visitor centers all help to interpret events from 200 years ago:
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Follow the British march toward Washington with a scenic driving tour of Southern Maryland.
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Paddle the wetlands where Commodore Joshua Barney’s U.S. Chesapeake Flotilla eluded an enemy blockade.
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Gaze upon the original Star-Spangled Banner Flag at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.
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See the historic parchment on which Francis Scott Key penned the words to our national anthem at the Maryland Historical Society.
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Take a bike ride and experience the small-town charm of Havre de Grace and St. Michaels while seeing places impacted by British raids.
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Spread out a picnic blanket on the waterfront at Fort McHenry after helping to raise the flag with a National Park Service ranger.
Now is a great time to get started on your adventure. Events and travel enhancements are at the ready to help you uncover America’s story and celebrate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Excitement surrounding Star- Spangled Spectacular (Sept. 10-16, 2014), as well as other commemorative events from Leonardtown and St. Leonard to Bladensburg and Fairlee, has propelled the War of 1812 Chesapeake Campaign into the national spotlight.
USING THIS GUIDE
You can start your Star-Spangled journey at numerous places — the choice is yours. But to assist your trip planning, we have divided the trail into four geographical regions: Southern Maryland, the Washington, D.C., region, the Eastern Shore and Baltimore & Vicinity.
As part of the historical overview found within each regional section, sites are listed in an order that provides a logical travel route along the trail rather than adhering to a chronology of the war. A brief timeline helps to give an order to the events.
Maps throughout the guide show a handful of key destinations, as well as the locations of nearly 130 wayside markers and informational kiosks that tell the stories of people and events of the time.
We have also included overall mileage and recommended travel time, not including stops along the way. However, you are encouraged to stick around for as long as you like to participate in recreational activities and visit cultural attractions, many of which are mentioned in the “While You’re In the Area” section. Combine your history quest with other recreational opportunities for the whole family: strap on hiking boots, cast a fishing line, savor local seafood, stop at a farmers’ market and browse for artisan handicrafts inside quaint, small-town shops. The charms of the Chesapeake Bay region are here for everyone to enjoy.
Several local travel resources are identified at the end of each regional section to provide additional assistance 12 when you’re out on the trail.
12 Top Spots for Water Access
TO GET THE MOST COMPLETE CHESAPEAKE
Bay experience while you’re on the national historic trail, you should spend a little time on a boat, canoe or kayak. Here are one dozen popular water activities and access locations, along with their coordinates:*
SOUTHERN MARYLAND
- Leonardtown Wharf Public Park
22510 Washington St., Leonardtown (38.286501, -76.638308)
Boat tie-ups, canoe/kayak launch and rentals.
- Solomons Island Public Boat Ramp
14195 Solomons Island Rd. S., Solomons (39.324722, -76.461389)
Access to Patuxent Water Trail. Boat ramp, fishing pier.
WASHINGTON, D.C., REGION
- Belle Haven Park and Marina
George Washington Memorial Pkwy., One mile south of Old Town Alexandria, Alexandria, Va. (38.777506, -77.048997) Launching ramp to the Potomac River.
- Bladensburg Waterfront Park
4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg (38.936212, -76.93908)
Access to Anacostia Water Trail, running nine miles to Washington. ADAaccessible kayak launch, pontoon tours, paddleboats, rowboats, canoe and kayak rentals, fishing rod rentals.
- Patuxent River Park
16000 Croom Airport Rd., Upper Marlboro (38.752711, -76.710041)
Access to Patuxent Water Trail. Boat ramps, canoe/kayak rentals, fishing.
- Piscataway Park
3400 Bryan Point Rd., Accokeek (38.692745, -77.052269)
Dock and boat ramp.
EASTERN SHORE
- St. Michaels Harbor/Miles River
E. Chew Ave. and W. Harbor Rd., St. Michaels (38.73261, -76.218563)
Access to St. Michaels Water Trail and boat ramp. Narrated history cruises, ecological kayak tours, kayak and jet ski rentals, sailing cruises, charter fishing tours.
- Turner’s Creek Landing
Turner’s Creek Rd., Kennedyville (39.357894, -75.982904)
Access to the 20-mile-long Sassafras River Water Trail. Concrete boat ramp for canoes, kayaks and powerboats.
www.kentcounty.com/recreation/parks/county-parks/turner-s-creek-park
BALTIMORE & VICINITY
- Canton Waterfront Park
3001 Boston St., Baltimore (39.278278, -76.573935)
Boat ramp, Baltimore Waterfront Promenade Trail, fishing pier, water taxi service to Fells Point, Fort McHenry and the Inner Harbor.
baltimore.org/info/canton-waterfront-park
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
2400 E. Fort Ave., Baltimore (39.263826, -76.579857)
Boat tours and water taxi service.
- Jean S. Roberts Memorial Park
Ostego and Water Sts., Havre de Grace (39.55351, -76.091609)
Boat ramp to Susquehanna River. Kayak launch, fishing pier.
- Lapidum Boat Ramp
Susquehanna State Park, Lapidum Rd. and Herring Run Ln., near Havre de Grace (39.597504, -76.127615)
Boat ramp to Susquehanna River.
INTERSECTING TRAILS
The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is just one of many welldeveloped routes that offer exciting forays into the abundant historical, cultural, natural and recreational opportunities of the Chesapeake Bay region. Along these “Intersecting Trails” (pages 50-55), you can admire the beauty of scenic byways, sip up the atmosphere along wine trails and step through Chesapeake Bay gateways into a wonderland of outdoor adventures.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Various websites offer extensive information about Chesapeake Bay destinations and the latest happenings related to the War of 1812 bicentennial commemoration:
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Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail nps.gov/stsp
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National Park Service nps.gov/stsp
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Maryland Office of Tourism visitmaryland.org
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Virginia’s War of 1812 Heritage Trail va1812bicentennial.dls.virginia.gov/heritage_trail.html
At 1812battles.com, interactive battlefield maps bring to life the battles of St. Leonard Creek, Bladensburg, North Point and Baltimore. Display the maps on your mobile phone, tablet or desktop computer.
You’ll enjoy seeing a film about the War of 1812 on the Chesapeake at video.mpt.tv/video/2247655935.
The trail’s award-winning companion book, “In Full Glory Reflected: Discovering the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake,” written by historians Ralph E. Eshelman and Burton K. Kummerow, includes an extensive travel section for the region and beautiful illustrations.
GEOCACHING ON YOUR JOURNEY
On the Star-Spangled Banner Geotrail, use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to hunt for hidden treasures at more than 30 locations or “caches” along the national historic trail. Each site has a story to tell and treasures to trade. Register for free at geocaching.com to download coordinates for the caches. Find more information at nps.gov/stsp/geotrail.htm.
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