Question 5. What is “Towson’s Light-House”?
Answer: A genuine hero of the War of 1812 was native son General Nathan Towson who had a 40 year career in the army and was considered to be the “ablest artillery officer” in the United States. He was born in Towson in 1794 and was primarily a farmer until he joined the Baltimore militia when the British attacked the frigate Chesapeake in 1807. During the War of 1812 he fought in the Lake Erie theater and rose quickly through the ranks. His battery unit won the day in two important engagements in 1814 and became known as Towson’s Light-House from their constant flashes of rapid fire.