It occupies part of the grounds of Fort Howard, an early fortification protecting Baltimore harbor.

In August 1940 the Veterans Administration (VA) acquired the title to the fort, and began moving operations there in January 1941.

When the VA took over the site, the Medical Corps building was renovated to be the nurses’ home, infirmary, and attendants’ quarters.

During the program, the HSR&D established the VA's first intensive care unit to test the value of individual monitoring.

After this incident, the property was guarded by private security due to arsonists previously setting fire to several of the buildings.