Dreaded Alarm Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail - Sparrows Point MD
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 39° 12.498 W 076° 25.566
18S E 376871 N 4340861
The cupola atop the Ridgely house, c. 1767 farmhouse located near here, served as a lookout station in 1813 and 1814, operated by Major Josiah Green.
Waymark Code: WM16N6M
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 09/01/2022
Views: 2
Dreaded Alarm Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail-War of 1812
The cupola atop the Ridgely house, c. 1767 farmhouse located near here, served as a lookout station in 1813 and 1814, operated by Major Josiah Green. A white flag raised on September 11, 1814, indicated that a British fleet was moving toward Baltimore. The warning was relayed to Baltimore’s Federal Hill. General Samuel Smith then ordered alarm guns to fire, signaling troops to muster and citizens to prepare for an attack.
Ship to Shore-The Ridgely house was part of an intricate early warning system that included schooners and gunboats, shore stations, and horse relays. The station communicated with flags by day and lanterns by night.
“(The Ridgely house is) a very large Brick one, with a steeple like lookout place on top, from whence there is a most perfect view…so that it would be next to an impossibility that any vessel or river boat could approach or pass with being observed.”
Major William B. Barney to Brig. Gen. John Stricker, March 23, 1813.
(Inscription beside the painting of the house)
1931 painting of the Ridgley house. Image/From Old Baltimore, 1931.
(Inscription beside the sketch on the right)
Examples of some 38 different signal flags used by a network of water and shore stations.
Group that erected the marker: National Park Service
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Old Bay Shore Road
On the grounds of North Point State Park.
Sparrows Point, MD United States
21219
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: Not listed
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