Explore Baltimore 15: Fort Carroll Baltimore's Jurassic Park

Entire episode dedicated to the mysterious Fort Carroll island in the middle of the Patapsco River. Now home to thousands of birds.
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[@rodneyjweltham150]

Fascinating shot at the beginning crossing the water towards the fort with the key bridge on the left which is sadly no longer there. Who would've thought?

[@HarmonHeat]

Thanks for taking me on the tour! I grew up playing on Carroll Island. My father would take us fishing there every weekend in the summer and we'd catch so many fish at the main entrance. My brother and I ran around that place like explorers lol. Thanks for bringing back some great memories

[@mdterpz532]

I always heard that there was a tunnel under the water from ft.armistead to ft. Carrol... do u remember seeing anything like thay by chance???

[@HarmonHeat]

@@mdterpz532 I honestly can't say I remember a tunnel but there was a weird place when you entered the fort that there was a big square hole in the ground and it was full of water but it would move with the tide and big waves outside the fort. We always wondered what that was for. I guess it's possible that they purposely flooded the tunnel to keep people out. I played at fort Armstead a lot also and they could have had connecting tunnels because that would be a great advantage

[@nullobject5943]

@@mdterpz532 I've heard that too.. i used to go deep into those tunnels as a kid. They get narrow as hell and it's hard to keep your orientation so I have no idea. If it does exist, i doubt it's a clearshot. There's a lot of rubble in those tunnels.

[@mdterpz532]

@@nullobject5943 yeah, it's probably filled in with concrete or gated off if it actually exists. Would be cool to get an answer tho one way or another..

[@HKgunner]

"Keep out: Guard Dog" (X) Doubt

[@JoshuaLiu100]

who would feed him? ..or does he live off the flesh of trespassers?

[@rodneyjweltham150]

MAGA dog? living off the lies of the America that never will be. Oops did I say that? DJ T canine, perhaps?

[@rmmlaurel]

I would love to see someone redo it and make it a national park so people could enjoy it

[@gracegood6618]

In high school, when I was 15-16 years old, my best guy friend only lived a few miles from Fort Carroll in Dundalk. He had a little 4 person boat and me, him, and our friends, would pile in and go for rides to Fort Carroll and the Key Bridge and back. We never actually went onto the fort because of all of the patrol boats and such, but we were able to touch the outer walls due to how small and agile his boat was. Oh to go back and relive those days again! 🥺❤️

[@KeithElliott]

I always find it interesting to see what's left behind in places like this, and the condition it is left in.

[@patorjk]

I was relieved to see this place isn't covered in graffiti like Armistead. Also, Jurassic Park theme was a great touch.

[@ExploreBaltimore]

Patrick Gillespie yeah a mile of river is a great security feature to keep taggers out.

[@patricksheehan8157]

Have you heard the rumor there is a tunnel from Armistead to Fort Carroll? I wonder if it's true. If there was I'm sure they are completely flooded and impassable.

[@edwardtressel1953]

YES!! UNFORTUNATELY NOT LIKE NEARBY FORT ARMISTEAD ON SOUTHERN SHORE OF PATAPSCO / OUTER BALTIMORE HARBOR AT HAWKINS POINT ON EDGE OF BALTIMORE CITY & ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY - NOW A BALTIMORE CITY PARK SINCE 1920s - A LATER SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR ERA (MID 1890s) OF THE SECOND SYSTEM / LINE OF COASTAL DEFENSIVE FORTIFICATIONS (KNOWN ALSO AS "ENDICOTT LINE") - OTHER TWIN MATCHING FORT HOWARD ("NICKNAMED "THE BULLDOG OF BALTIMORE") ON THE NORTH SHORE AT NORTH POINT IN BALTIMORE COUNTY BECAME A PARK IN 1975 FOR PART OF THE MILITARY STATION OF THE ACTUAL CONCRETE BATTERIES ON THE EASTERN SIDE AND HAS INTERPRETATIVE MARKERS FOR THE FORT'S POINTS OF INTEREST AND IS KEPT MAINTAINED. OTHER PORTION OF HOWARD WAS USED BEGINNING IN THE 1940s AS A VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL ON THE SOUTHEAST SIDE. SAME FOR SMALLER FORT SMALLWOOD WHICH IS FURTHER SOUTHWEST ON THE ARUNDEL SHORE AT ROCK POINT - ALSO A LONGTIME CITY PARK & BATHING BEACH SINCE THE 1920s AND NOW SHARED WITH ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS WHICH NOW OPERATES PARK FOR THE LAST DECADE. I HAVE VISITED ALL FOR PLEASURE AND GIVING HISTORICAL TOURS & INTERPRETATION = D.E.T. / E.T.2 (downtown Baltimore // "Leap Year Day" - Saturday afternoon - February 29th, 2020) - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Carroll

[@christiandobry3212]

Not many people can access it because of the location so whoever finds it worth it to get to and explore are the good ones who just wanna see it

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

That was an awesome exploration of something I've sailed by and wondered for 30 years.

[@KillrMillr7]

Cool video of Ft Carroll. Worth mentioning is this Fort was built under the direction of Robert E. Lee who was actually an Army Engineer. I've sailed and driven past many times but never set foot on it.

[@DavidSmith-sb2ix]

Shhhhh! Keep the part about Lee quiet or somebody will blow it up.

[@pauloneil8531]

Lee supervised the construction for 4 years before leaving to be Superintendent at West Point.

[@d.e.b.b5788]

Tour starts at 3:03

[@donaldhooper3064]

I am 78 years old and I can remember when I was a kid under 10 and going out on my father's boat and sailimg right up to Ft Carroll. It was erie then and even moreso now. Can't understand why it was never transformed into something and made to be useful. Always thought it would have made for a great resort of some kind with a major hotel complex with amenities. The views from that fort would be awesome looking straight down the Chesapeake Bay where, on a clear day, one could actually see the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. So sad to see it just rotting away and never had any kind of usage. Thanks for the video. Awesome photography and you brough back a lot of memories to this old guy. Have been away from Baltimore for going on 40 years. Don Hooper Ocala, Fl.

[@markbarsh3107]

Looks to be in good shape for being abandoned for hundred years. they could build some quality structures back then

[@barrettready1713]

The army kept up on it till the early 1900s

[@yakamarezlife]

@@barrettready1713 The 20s actually they kept ammo on it after the first war i think it was a depot they didn't want to put that crap in the city

[@DiLL-PiCKLe02]

@@yakamarezlife​​⁠they stopped using it after the second world war

[@may86bear]

They tried to turn it into a restaurant years ago , but the expense to rehab it plus having to ship everything out to it had made it cost prohibitive. It is a designated bird sanctuary 😀

[@The_Sass_Monster]

Look at what nature does when it’s not disturbed . How cool

[@davidmoran4471]

I was there maybe 40 or so years ago, trees were much less then, and the light beacon was still being maintained. You found some spots that I didn't.

[@rodneyjweltham150]

as I watch through this fascinating video tour of the fort, I am fascinated by the Geo location of the fort using the Francis Scott Key bridge which is, as previously mentioned, no longer there after the destruction by the cargo ship. I am also interested in exactly what that internal combustion engine device was parked in one section of the fort. It looks like it might've been a grass cutter or something like that for the area that is overgrown with foliage now. What a wonderful place to make a tourist destination park. So much history there. I'm not even American and I feel that that place should not be left to crumble into obscurity.

[@appyd02d]

Oh, this was great!! Loved the concept! Well executed, even got the "clever girl" in there!! Thanks for posting! Looking forward to seeing more!!

[@crustycobs2669]

Great drone footage. May I say that this is close to where the ship with Francis Scott Key anchored, as he observed that 'the flag was still there'. Commercial potential for this place.

[@Forgiven156]

My uncle used to take me over on his boat and we’d walk around in there. It was cool, like walking back in time

[@traceyreitterer230]

Thanks for giving us a peek inside, Explore. My friends & I used to fish & crab from the pier at Fort Armistead in the early 90's & I always wondered what Carroll island looked like inside. My friends snuck out there twice before I met them, but they never got photos. They also told me long before I met them, they used to play in the Armistead tunnels, which were said to lead out to the island, but by the 90's, they had started to crumble inside & were no longer safe. Love your video!

[@davidmoran4471]

They were bricked shut in the late 1960s

[@helenmullen896]

Helen Mullen

[@nullobject5943]

I believe it, those tunnels go deep as hell

[@ByGraceIGo]

Birds feel safe going to a place like this because there are no predators.

[@pauloneil8531]

Just rats to eat the eggs.

[@DiLL-PiCKLe02]

@@pauloneil8531and snakes

[@johnatyoutube]

This was fantastic! I've driven around it in my boat so many times. It's definitely both a piece of history and a wild space where the cormorants rule.

[@pepe6162]

One day, I will buy this island.

[@Rurounininja01]

Not if i get it first! lol

[@zeeeeeee.]

its only 10,500 bucks. go for it bud.

[@paultaylor256]

I grew up in Balto. Seen it from Ft Armistead but never close up. Great video

[@amitisshahbanu5642]

Your conjugation of the verb see shows you're from Baltimore.

[@jhill2042]

Who is here after the bridge collapse

[@allannyb2493]

If there ever came a Zombie apocalypse I would know where to stay

[@valencia0113]

THIS DEFINITELY IS OLDER THAN THEY SAY

[@adventureasone]

I want to go here next!

[@DarkendSun]

Access by boat only ,and then, illegal to be on the property..

[@RAYTHEONGAMING]

I seriously need to buy this

[@mikeoxmaul837]

The asking price is it too bad, only catch other serious renovations that come with it.

[@bigboombassin1459]

Awesome production here. Just moved up here and saw it while fishing

[@michellefury12345]

Really cool video, love how you filmed this!!

[@redtomcat1725]

In 2016 I sailed the harbor. I was not able to explore as you did. Thank you for bringing it to reality to me !

[@wtfhappened1965]

awesome!!! good show mate!!!!

[@jessicakay5630]

Excellent video!!!!

[@susancox-huston4604]

I really liked the video overall. The music was good. But I would much rather hear narration about what you're seeing what it may be with the music lower as background.

[@tombrandt9028]

This is a wonderful perspective on an intriguing spot. As someone said, far less depressing than dystopian Ft. Armistead. Remarkable to see the old machinery still there!

[@craigmason2260]

The theme music from Jurrasic park was great

[@UncleSam-USofA]

A great way to remember the FSK bridge

[@dsc7772]

came across this from post about islands for sale it listed island for $31000,never been to Baltimore and I don't have the money, but if I did ....the place is awesome Id clean it all up stairways ,walls,replace fallen bricks try bring back to its best condition,as posible, leaving all the trees and well so much could be done ,current owners I'm willing ,summer months of course ,lol ,currently stuck on a island now ,aloha !!! Oh and island,fort, shares last Name curious as to for whom it is named ,research ahead I guess again aloha .D.CARROLL

[@MrBulwer]

$31,000???

[@av-lu3oi]

sometimes the taxes can be high af higher than what the property is worth

[@RuminatingWizard]

Yay you.

[@DavidSmith-sb2ix]

@@av-lu3oi That's Maryland for you. High taxes.

[@OutfitsoftheDay]

There’s a catch to it. You have to rebuild/renovate the fort if you buy it which easily would cost millions

[@miltonsmith3114]

Great job!

[@stevereed7954]

I like what you did there, with the Jurassic Park angle! Well done!

[@johnatyoutube]

Love to show friends Fort Carroll by boat. The birds are always amazing. It's an incredible sanctuary for cormorants. It's so cool that you took us inside. Thanks!

[@mrmook3001]

Always been curious about this place while going over the key bridge. I hope someone does something with it i heard its sinking

[@styxo5420]

Not sinking the water is rising

[@MrBulwer]

It's not sinking. Just look at the water line.

[@mikeoxmaul837]

Same, the hexagon island, used to pass by it during road trips.

[@pauloneil8531]

It is privately owned. Many plans for hotel and or casino in the 1970s and 80s, but not feasible today to build on it.

[@jamesballantines]

excelentes tomas gran profesionalismo. me encanto

[@chubbycam019]

Awesome

[@christophermoultrie7838]

Would love to play some paint ball gun game in there

[@dennismitchell5414]

Thanks for the excellent video , I always wanted to know what Fort Carroll looked like up close. Keep up the great work !!

[@francine8218]

It would have been nice if it was maintained as Fort Carroll and used for tours all these years

[@ryanbesslingsr.9529]

This was the best Fort Carroll video I have seen. Great work!

[@HUEMEGA3]

clever my friend yu would be a cool visual artist even director I applaud yur camera skills man nd ability to keep the audience glued even if it wasn't much content in the video yu a wizard bro lol

[@reidselby2569]

I've always wanted to explore the old fort ever since I saw it as a youth, passing by on the Port Welcome.

[@randyjennings3075]

Darn good piece of urban exploring. You may also like to check out Fort Howard Park, in Baltimore County. It is rather clean and SAFE as compared to Fort Armistead. Also next door is the closed down Fort Howard Veterans Complex. Fly your drone around it, but it is patrolled by security. I should know, as I got "caught" by an old security guard threatening to set his non-existent "dogs" on me. Here's the google map link: www.google.com/maps/@39.1977299,-76.4431064,17.24z

[@ExploreBaltimore]

Randy Jennings it's been a while but I used to go to the abandoned VA Hospital all the time. There was even a caretaker there that if you could find him on the property would give you a tour of the inside.

[@scramuelito81]

Absolutely fascinating. I saw the little island in the news coverage of the bridge disaster and decided to do a little research. Must be a cool experience to be alone out there, thanks very much for sharing. Regards from Melbourne, Australia.

[@BiggestLoserEver69]

I've been on that bridge a alot of times, and used to wonder what that little island was, it's sad that the bridge collapsed.

[@AllPureSkill]

Dope POV

[@BPhDesigns]

Nice video, hello from Belgium and RIP the bridge and dead people 😥😥

[@leomartino8873]

Always wondered what was on there vary cool video

[@wildtill9]

Almost 40 years ago my buddy and I explored the fort. We did find a cannon half buried in the dirt out in the courtyard. Did not see it anywhere on your video. Also we gained entrance by having friends drop us off on the back side on a dock like structure where we then walked across 2 steel beams. Did not see the beams on your video - perhaps removed to keep people away.

[@bmoreartistic]

wildtill9 the whole area is now super secured and the current owner has been known to be aggressive. Also the coast guard keeps a good eye out for trespassers

[@Josiah-X]

wOw, this is really good man. I'm in the works of doing a "Nature in the City" experimental film. This is a excellent location for this types of birds.

[@thatGUYbehindthemask]

rip that bridge lol

[@BiggestLoserEver69]

Yeah would've been nice if u were on it, since u think it's funny 🤣.

[@umwaht]

how is this funny dude? ppl died

[@thatGUYbehindthemask]

@@BiggestLoserEver69 funny how the original proposal was for a tunnel, but they cheaped out and built the bridge instead. now the port is useless. you cant even remove that ship from the port untill you remove the whole damn bridge.

[@Mileneup]

Eu moraria tranquila! Como um lugar desse não pode ser agitado gente, possível é lindo!

[@mclovin8739]

6:42 Crazy shot after what just happened

[@BiggestLoserEver69]

Wow WTF

[@magiccarvettrides]

WOW! This old fort is even more preserved than Fort Montgomery!

[@luv4da80s]

Great Video, thank you so much. I live in Dubai and only heard of this Fort on a channel called - JonLevi who puts forth some very interesting ideas about structures that we are told were built in the 1800's all across North America. I have seriously begun to distrust the mainstream narrative we are given on the history in this time period. This level of construction just doesn't seem doable for that time period, given the resources at hand, the economy and loads of other things if you think carefully. This is way way older.

[@Space_CowboyHD]

Watching this video after the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse just a few hours ago

[@HLordz301]

i live in rockville, i need to check this out

[@tseawell90]

Dude let's go

[@samuelmurrill7438]

So did you guys end up going? 😂😂😂

[@touofthehighplains]

Amazing, it isn't covered in graffiti. All that unpainted concrete is a wet dream for the indigenous people of Baltimore.

[@KennethDAstonJr]

There are no dinosaurs I even took a trip in my canoe to see them lol unless you want to count their distance relatives, the bird also nice drone footage

[@ZynyakTheMartian]

6:43 GAH! 😯 That was a close

[@kdogg8160]

Cool video. Always been curious about that place. Wondered if anyone would approach you if they saw that someone was on the island. Any idea what was in the dark basement? I doubt much but still curious. Cool video thanks for sharing.

[@ExploreBaltimore]

Kevin Richmond the dark spots were just empty rooms. I cut out the parts where I went into them just because it seemed too boring. A police boat did approach me when I was leaving but he only wanted to know if I saw any dead birds because someone had been shooting them.

[@ExploreBaltimore]

You actually see the police boat speeding near the bridge toward the end of the video.

[@traceyreitterer230]

I wonder if anyone's ever tried to stockpile food & blankets & just live there off the grid for awhile. Explore, do you know how deep the water is outside the island & did you get cell power there??

[@ExploreBaltimore]

Not sure how deep the water is directly next to the fort but it's very deep in the channel.

[@ExploreBaltimore]

And yes cell reception is no issue.

[@franklyfishin2327]

Water is roughly 15-20ft there about 50 yards away is the channel and its 50 ft or so deep

[@nullobject5943]

Well it is privately owned and visible from the francis scott bridge so i don't know how long you'd be enjoying yourself haha, I give it one night if you left a boat there.

[@rubentechera7260]

Que lindo lugar y escuche que estaba a la venta por 31k no es tan caro para el provecho que le podes sacar . Es un hermoso lugar para la familia , para repararlo y mejorarlo . Hacerlo mas tecnologico y sin dudas auto sustentable . Es un muy lindo lugar ademas plantar unos arboles de pino y algunos cerezos para darle mas vida y los animales dan el toque especial al lugar aunque bueno el popode ellos molesten un poco pero nada qe no se resuelva . Muy lindo el fuerte me encanaria reconstruilo y hacerlo nuevo la verdad . Saludos de uruguay

[@T.J.Caldwell318]

I would love to do some metal detecting on there. I remember when they used to have guard dogs living on there

[@hellohola24-ge7mq]

6:33 hit different after today. rip

[@greenmile9496]

Sad to see the now former Francis Scott Key bridge in the background.

[@myhandle90]

Beware, of the immortal guard dog!

[@woj5105]

Always wondered if it was for sale.

[@etika4151]

Lets say the tree’s were all mysteriously burned down. And then you bought it. Not a sanctuary any more, and you can turn it into a kick ass home

[@RAYTHEONGAMING]

Mah nigga

[@dottyjyoung]

I see everyone is here after watching the "Islands you can buy" video, lol! I want this place.

[@dottyjyoung]

@@RAYTHEONGAMING we already live about 30 miles south. So, in the fallout zone, lol! :)

[@dottyjyoung]

@@RAYTHEONGAMING The thing is, we could retrofit a couple of school busses as tiny houses, and if bad weather (or war!) was upon us, we could fire up the diesel engine and roll that sucker onto a ferry. :)

[@briancrowley6413]

looks like nature is claiming back nicely

[@masterhutchgaming1566]

Its not exactly "claiming back" that land. It's an artificial island that is man made. Nature is definitely taking over it though!

[@thebender9607]

so cool i saw this on google earth, and i am from indonesia

[@chrisduffy2737]

Good video, production values. Looks like a Star Fort. Look it up on KZbin.

[@DiscothecaImperialis]

1:34 Is Fort Carroll something similiar to British Palmerston's Follies?

[@gnick88]

So many Cormorant birds they're invasive stealing all of the fish.

[@AbandonedExplorationUrbex1979]

This video was super cool! I've always wanted to explore this place but I don't have a boat, do you know someone with a boat?

[@ExploreBaltimore]

I just used a kayak.

[@rdwoo57]

Thought I heard it was a bird sanctuary and it was no trespassing

[@DavidSmith-sb2ix]

I'd feel safer here than West Baltimore even if it did have dinosaurs.

[@pauloconnor2980]

I'm glad I wasn't eating my lunch @ 7:43!!!!!

[@pauloconnor2980]

Great drone footage. BTW, what kind of drone are you using in this video?????

[@ExploreBaltimore]

This was probably a DJI Mavic Pro

[@alysmari3956]

What type of birds are these?

[@jpsapartmentcustom9541]

Man for 39,000 is nice but to have to fix it up with out being able to do heavy contribution suck all because they don't want people scaring the birds off that's crazy right

[@kristinawashington1773]

Really enjoyed watching the video. :D

[@coreybrian1720]

I always wanted to go here but was afraid I was not allowed. Going to make it happen now! Any tips?

[@ExploreBaltimore]

I don't think you are allowed but unless the coast guard stopped you I don't know what else would.

[@rickwilliams8877]

@@ExploreBaltimore The private landowner who bought it maybe? Probably not though.

[@drew-shourd]

..those pesky cormorants....fro Google... "It is really interesting to see how far back it goes, this sort of anti-cormorant feeling in literature and art," King said. "Milton famously described Satan sitting like a cormorant on the tree of life. Shakespeare uses cormorant imagery four times in his plays. And in Shakespeare's time, being 'cormorous' meant being greedy or insatiable." Much more recently, a sports fishing blog described the birds as "gangly, gluttonous rats with wings." The article's headline: "I Hate Cormorants."

[@brocklanders6172]

I explored Baltimore. I got mugged.

[@francine8218]

Welcome to Baltimore,Hon Every second of the day occurrence here

[@marnai0234]

How did you get on from your kayak ? And why didn’t you go inside where it was dark should’ve used a flash like 🌚😏

[@amitisshahbanu5642]

What's the white stuff all over the trees and ground?

[@thegodmontanaraccs7827]

🗽

[@marioperera5220]

Me gustaría compartir la Isla ,quien sabe??

[@scottk7613]

I hear you can buy this island for $30,000 but you just cant cut down any birds homes. So, you cant do much about the over grown trees. And theres alot of things that would need to be replaced to be liveable. But, is there any spot on the island that would be good to live in? Then work your way outwords, fixing stuff up. Or is it just too unfixable? I would love to buy this. Hows the main house in the middle of the island?

[@ExploreBaltimore]

It doesn't seem terrible structurally but trees growing through cracks in it will probably destroy it.

[@scottk7613]

Looks like this could be a bad ass Mansion island, i would love to see a walk threw of the main house. I cant find anything online. It would also be a pretty cool haunted house. The owner can charge ($) to pick up a group on a creapy boat. Then walk them on the outside, then the main house. I see money being made here... i want this

[@DeathToHypeBeasts]

How do you build something like that in the middle of the water ?

[@rwdyeriii]

The Army Corps of Engineers started with an existing sand spit of land that was there. They then expanded it by bringing in old bricks and concrete and filling in the area until they created a bigger piece of land there. On top of that they laid tons of clay dirt to make the foundation of the Fort. They then used concrete and brick to build the rest of the Fort. I imagine this thing even though it is abandoned will be there for at least another hundred years. There are old abandoned coastal forts in the Caribbean, South America, and Europe that are still in good shape even though nature has grown over them. These kinds of structures were really built to stand the test of time and are fascinating. I know a good bit about these because I'm a military historian who has studied structures like this since I was 8 and I'm now 48.

[@johncheeks3106]

Have a fundraiser for the redevelopment of fort Carroll to be clean up and made into BirdLand park.........statues and other pottery trees etc (Brown tail harks and falcons etc).

[@Tarez205]

Feel like I just watched a western movie with that second soundtrack lol