Presidential Retreat
adapted from The National Parks Service
Catoctin Mountain Park was originally land purchased by the
government in 1936, to be developed
into a recreational facility
. The
facility was to demonstrate
how rough terrain and eroded soil could
be
turned into productive
land again. Camp Misty Mount was first used by
the Maryland League for
Crippled Children. After the first year, the
League moved to a second camp in
1938, Camp Greentop, because
Camp Misty Mount's terrain
was difficult to negotiate in a wheelchair.
A
third camp, Camp Hi-Catoctin
, was completed in the winter of
1938-1939 and was used for
three years as a family camp for
federal
employees
In 1952, Truman approved a compromise under which the land north
of Maryland Route 77 would
remain Catoctin Mountain Park operated
by the National Park Service
and the land south of Maryland Route 77
would become Cunningham
Falls State Park. The official transfer took
effect in 1954. President
Eisenhower renamed the retreat, after he took
office in 1953, "Camp David," after
his grandson.
Camp David continues to serve as the Presidential Retreat today. It
is a private, secluded place for recreation
, contemplation, rest, and
relaxation. Many historical
events have occurred at the Presidential
Retreat the planning of the Normandy
invasion,
Eisenhower-Khrushchev meetings, Camp David Accords with
Menachem Begin of Israel
and Anwar Sadat of Egypt, discussions
of
the Bay of Pigs, Vietnam War discussions
, and many other meetings
with foreign dignitaries and guests
. Maintaining the privacy and
secluded atmosphere of the
retreat is an important role for
Catoctin
Mountain Park. The Presidential Retreat
still remains within park
boundaries, but is not open to the public.
It is a place where
Presidents
can relax, unwind, contemplate
,
entertain
distinguished guests in an
informal setting, and cope with the
pressures of modern-day society
.
President Eisenhower named the presidential
retreat "Camp David" in
1953.
Many historical everes have occurred here.
Today, Camp David serves as a place where
presidents can relax and unwind
away from
the public eye.
Catoctin Mountain Park was used for
a variety of purposes, including the
presidential retreat, beginning in 1939.