 The City of McHenry is a diverse community offering a variety of housing choices, a wide range of employment options and unparalleled access to recreational activities. Located at the heart of the Fox River, just 50 miles northwest of Chicago, McHenry has been able to retain its small town charm despite being located in one of Illinois' fastest growing counties.
McHenry is conveniently located at the intersection of State Routes 120 and 31 in northeast Illinois, just minutes away from Interstates 90, 94 and 43. McHenry is served by METRA, the Chicagoland Commuter rail service, and PACE suburban bus service.
By working together in a combined effort of good will and understanding, we can make the City of McHenry one of the finest places in the United States to live, work and play.
McHenry's history began in 1776 during the Revolutionary War. The people of Baltimore feared an attack by the British and wanted to build a fort for protection. Anticipating an attack at any time, a fort of earthen mounds was constructed quickly. Originally, it was called Fort Whetstone, because of its location on Whetstone Point.
Whetstone Point was an excellent location for a fort for two reasons. It was located far enough from Baltimore to provide protection without endangering the city and the area was a peninsula - a body of land surrounded on three sides by water. Constructing the fort on this site meant that enemy ships, sailing into Baltimore, would have to pass the fort first
The Revolutionary War ended without an attack on Baltimore, but improvements to the fort continued. In 1798, a French engineer was directed by the Secretary of War to draw plans for a new fort on Whetstone Point. These plans were expensive and it was difficult for the people of Baltimore to raise money for construction. However, James McHenry, a well-known politician, was instrumental in raising funds for the new fort. The fort was named "Fort McHenry" in his honor.
Fort McHenry became famous when the British tried to attack Baltimore during the War of 1812. When the bombardment began on September 13, 1814, there were 1,000 soldiers defending the fort. Some were federal soldiers who were stationed at Fort McHenry all the time. Many were volunteers from the city of Baltimore. Their commanding officer was Major George Armistead. For 25 hours, the British bombarded Fort McHenry, but the fort's artillery fire kept the British away. Baltimore was saved. |
