The Battle Monument-War of 1812, Baltimore, MD, United States of America - Specific Wars Monuments and Memorials on Waymarking.com

The Battle Monument-Built 1815-1825 to commemorate those who fell in the British attack on Baltimore in September 1814, the Battle Monument stands on the site of Baltimore’s first courthouse. When Calvert Street was leveled in 1784, the courthouse was raised on an arched brick platform to allow the traffic to flow beneath it. This courthouse “on stilts” remained perched high above the new street level until 1800, when it was razed and a new structure erected on the west side of Calvert Street.
The Monument was designed by Maximilian Godefroy. The symbolism of its Roman fasces, Egyptian tomb, and griffins reflects the architect’s background in revolutionary France, where great attention was paid to elaborate memorials and civic celebrations. At the Monument base are two bas-reliefs of the North Point Battle and the bombardment of Fort McHenry. The vertical rods of the shaft represent the Union, held together by bands inscribed with the names of those who fell in battle. At the top of the Monument, flanked by an eagle and a bomb, is Godefroy’s statue of Baltimore holding laurel wreath of victory. This was first monument in the country erected to honor the common soldier. Since 1827 the Battle Monument has been the official symbol of the City of Baltimore.

Inscription on the plaque at the base of the monument-This Monument
was erected by the citizens of Baltimore under the management of the Committee of Vigilance and Safety
in honor of the gallant defenders of this City and Nation who fell in the Battle of North Point
and during the bombardment of Fort McHenry September 12 and 13, 1814.
The corner-stone was laid on the first anniversary of the Battle, September 12, 1815
by
Edward Johnson, Mayor • Maj. Gen. Samuel Smith • Brig. Gen. John Stricker • Lieut. Col. George Armistead.
A model for the occasion was executed by John Finley and Rembrandt Peale, The statue representing the city of Baltimore was raised to summit September 12, 1822
The design of the monument was the gift of J. Maximilian M. Godefroy, a French émigré, and the carving was executed in Italian marble by Signor Antonio Capellano, late first sculptor to the court of Spain
This site was first selected for Washington Monument the corner-stone of which was laid two months earlier July 4, 1815
The design was adopted as the seal of the city in 1827
This tablet was placed by the City of Baltimore on the centenary of the laying of the corner-stone, Defenders' Day 1915
James H. Preston Mayor

War: War of 1812 Is it permanently accessible to the public?: yes Is it necessary to pay a fee to gain access to the place?: no Year of the memorial or monument: 1815

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Date Logged Log   10/18/2021 Don.Morfe visited it 12/07/2019 Searcher28 visited it

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