Nestled on a quiet peninsula in Edgemere, Maryland, the Fort Howard neighborhood is the kind of place where stories linger in the salty breeze. With its roots stretching back through centuries of American history, Fort Howard is both a living community and a testament to the people, events, and landmarks that have shaped it. Whether you’re strolling along North Point Road or spending a peaceful afternoon at Fort Howard Park, the echoes of the past are never far away in this special corner of Baltimore County.
Origins: From Native Land to Military Stronghold
Long before settlers arrived, the area we now know as Fort Howard was home to Native American peoples who fished, hunted, and lived along the rich waters of the Chesapeake Bay. European colonists gradually moved in through the 17th and 18th centuries, drawn by the land’s strategic location at the mouth of the Patapsco River.
Fort Howard’s name and story truly began to take shape in the early 19th century, during the War of 1812. The area gained national attention as the landing site for British troops in the Battle of North Point. On September 12, 1814, British forces disembarked right at what is now Fort Howard Park, marching inland toward Baltimore. Local legends hold that the resistance organized by Maryland militia here helped turn the tide and safeguard the city. Even today, monuments and historical plaques recall these pivotal moments—reminding us that Fort Howard’s story is inseparable from the larger tapestry of American history.
Naming the Neighborhood: Honoring a Hero
Fort Howard got its name from Colonel John Eager Howard, a respected Revolutionary War hero and Maryland statesman. As a tribute, the U.S. Army constructed Fort Howard in the 1890s as part of the coastal defense system designed to protect Baltimore Harbor. The fort remained an active military post for decades—its imposing batteries, powder magazines, and officers’ quarters still dotting the landscape.
You’ll find the name Howard everywhere here, from Howard Avenue winding through quiet residential blocks, to the grand stone entrance to Fort Howard Park off Bayside Drive. It’s a constant nod to a man who helped shape both local and national chapters of history.
Key Historical Milestones
Fort Howard’s story is a timeline of transformation:
- War of 1812: The British landing, Battle of North Point, and the resilience of local defenders.
- Late 1800s: Construction of Fort Howard—one of several military installations safeguarding the Chesapeake region. The fort brought jobs, people, and eventually, new homes to the area.
- Early-Mid 20th Century: The fort transitioned to serve other purposes during World War I and II, including as a staging ground and training post.
- Post-War Era: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs took over parts of the property, developing the Fort Howard Veterans Medical Center—a facility that provided care for generations of local veterans.
- Present Day: The VA hospital closed in the 2000s, but the site remains a local landmark, and its grounds are open to the public as Fort Howard Park.
Notable Landmarks and Buildings
There’s no shortage of sites to explore for those interested in history or simply looking for a beautiful place to spend an afternoon:
- Fort Howard Park: Wander the wooded trails or picnic by the water, and you’ll encounter remnants of the historic military installation. Interpretive signs explain the significance of the old gun batteries and network of tunnels.
- Battery Stricker and Battery Clagett: These imposing concrete structures are silent witnesses to the days when Fort Howard’s big guns watched the horizon for enemy ships.
- Waterfront Views: The park’s location offers some of the best vistas in Baltimore County, with shimmering views of the Back River and Chesapeake Bay. Local fishermen and birdwatchers are regular visitors.
- The Avenue and Church Road: These local streets are dotted with classic mid-century homes, many built for military families and workers who were part of the area’s lively postwar community.
- Fort Howard Community Association: Housed in a former officer’s building, this organization continues to be a gathering point for local residents and a guardian of the neighborhood’s unique identity.
Evolution and Community Spirit
While traces of the military past are ever-present, today’s Fort Howard is above all a close-knit, welcoming community. Bungalows and modest homes line streets like North Point Road and Bay Drive, where neighbors wave from porches and children ride bikes to the old parade grounds. Veterans and newcomers alike share a pride in the community’s storied past.
Annual celebrations like Defenders’ Day bring crowds to the park for reenactments, live music, and historical displays. Local volunteers work tirelessly to preserve what remains of the old fort and honor the memory of those who served. But there’s more to Fort Howard than history—the neighborhood is blessed by abundant natural beauty, from marshlands rich with wildlife to the shady shoreline paths that wind through the park.
Nearby, on the border with Edgemere, watermen still ply their trade, launching boats from the public pier, just as they have for generations. The flavors of Chesapeake Bay—steamed crabs, oysters, and fresh-caught fish—are woven into the community’s shared traditions.
A Place That Remembers
Walking the tranquil lanes of Fort Howard, it’s easy to feel as though time has slowed down. Old sycamore and oak trees provide a leafy canopy, and the call of gulls drifts over the water. At every turn, there are reminders that this is a place with deep roots—one where history is alive and the sense of community endures.
Fort Howard is more than its historic batteries and battlefield markers. It’s the laughter of children in Mount Carmel Playground, the friendly greetings exchanged at the community center, and the unwavering reverence for those who defended both nation and neighborhood.
For newcomers, Fort Howard’s welcome is genuine; for longtime residents, its stories are a point of pride. If you visit, bring your curiosity—and don’t forget to ask a local about the British coins once found buried in backyard gardens, or about the old-timers who still remember the bugle calls sounding from the fort at sunset. In Fort Howard, the past is never far away, but it’s the warmth of the people that will make you feel right at home.