The Coblentz-Long Building

Historical marker location:

2 West Main Street, Middletown, Maryland

( Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street / Old National Pike (Alternate U.S. 40) and Church Street (State Highway 17), on the right when traveling east on West Main Street / Old National Pike.)

Circa 1800.

Maryland was the birthplace of the national anthem: The national anthem of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812. Key witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor and was inspired by the American flag still flying over the fort at dawn.