The Ghost of Fort McHenry

By Crusader1307

  In previous Articles, We had looked into the history of and meaning to Americans of Ft. McHenry (Maryland). Built in 1798, it was one of the original Coastal Defense points a new United States constructed. It was over The Fort's walls, that Francis Scott Key wrote his observations of The British bombardment of McHenry – during The War of 1812. This event would be immortalized by Key as His poem (and later National Anthem), known as ''The Star Spangled Banner''.

McHenry would long endure as a Coastal Fort. Used at one point as a Prison for captured Confederate Soldiers during The Civil War (1861-1865), to later the same for returning World War I Soldiers from Europe, The Fort would continue into World War II as a Training Post. It would become a National Historic Monument, and serves in that capacity today. But many Employee's of The Fort tell varying tales of ''Ghostly'' encounters with many ''still present'' (it seems), from The Fort's History. One such oft told encounter is with that of George. George William Brown was once Mayor of Baltimore, and a devout Confederate sympathizer (as many Marylander's were throughout The War Between The States). So outspoken in His beliefs, that Brown was arrested and imprisoned by Federal Authorities – at The Fort.

Since the 1950s forward, Docents and Guides of The Museum have ''felt'' George's ''presence'' often – especially from The Cell He was kept in. A Female Docent in the 1960s had a particular habit of saying ''Goodnight, George'', before She locked that section of The Fort for the night. She did so for many years, until She retired. But those who came after Her, scoffed at the ritual. One night (it is told), a Man Docent did not say ''Goodnight''. As He tried to leave, the door slammed shut to the outside Halls, and would not open (despite His screams for help and pulling on the door). Finally, He said (it was claimed) – ''Goodnight, George''. The door opened. The ''ritual'' is still supposedly practiced still today.