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Originally called Shangri-La, the retreat nestled in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland was rechristened Camp David in 1953 by Dwight Eisenhower in honor of his grandson. The "submarginal" land was purchased by the U.S. government in 1936 and was earmarked to demonstrate how "rough terrain and eroded soil could be turned into productive land again." It served as home to several different camps before it was claimed as a presidential retreat for FDR in 1942. The original camp cost $18,650 to build and was rather rustic, consisting of 20 cabins lacking in indoor plumbing and hot water. Initially, the location of the camp was a closely
guarded secret. This lasted until September 16, 1945, when The Baltimore Sun ran a story on the retreat, accompanied by aerial photographs. Following Roosevelt's death, the land was retained by the federal government as an historic shrine and became a part of the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior. Although Camp David is referred to as a getaway for our commander in chief, it's served as the location for many historic and consequential meetings, such as the Camp David Accords. It was also the setting for the planning of the invasion of Normandy and discussions of the Bay of Pigs and Vietnam. For more information, read this wonderfully detailed history
of the camp, which includes anecdotes about the camp and its inhabitants ranging from Roosevelt's encounter with a shotgun-wielding local to George H. Bush banning ties from camp grounds. Or, if you're up for an adventure, put on your hiking boots and enjoy this online tour.
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