Camp David
The Works Progress Administration began building a retreat for federal agents in 1935. Workers constructed the facility within the wooded hills of Catoctin Mountain Park. The project finished its work by 1938 under the name Hi-Catoctin. This location sat near Thurmont and Emmitsburg in Frederick County, Maryland. It stood about north-northwest of Washington D.C. The site remained a government-only area during these early years.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt converted the facility into a presidential retreat in 1942. He renamed the place Shangri-La after a fictional Himalayan paradise. Winston Churchill visited this new hideout with Roosevelt in May 1943. The two leaders held private diplomatic meetings there during World War II. The name Shangri-La reflected the desire for an isolated sanctuary away from political chaos.
Dwight D. Eisenhower gave the retreat its current name in 1953. He honored his father and grandson who both shared the name David. Eisenhower had suffered a heart attack on September 24 in Denver, Colorado. He held his first post-attack cabinet meeting at the site on the 22nd of November 1955. The president also met Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev there for two days in September 1959.
Ronald Reagan visited the retreat more than any other president. His total count reached 189 visits between 1981 and 1989. George W. Bush logged 150 visits over two terms from 2001 to 2009. That second president spent 487 days at the location for hosting visitors or personal rest. Richard Nixon directed construction of a swimming pool and improvements to Aspen Lodge himself. Bill Clinton spent every Thanksgiving at the site with his family during his tenure.
Jimmy Carter brokered the Camp David Accords in September 1978. Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed agreements there. John F. Kennedy allowed White House staff to use the retreat when he was away. Lyndon B. Johnson hosted Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt and Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson. Barack Obama chose the location for the 38th G8 summit in 2012. Joe Biden later hosted the U.S.-Japan-Korea Summit in August 2023.
An F-15 fighter jet intercepted a civilian aircraft on the 2nd of July 2011. The plane flew approximately from Camp David while President Obama resided inside. The two-seater craft had no radio communication and was escorted to Hagerstown without incident. Another small plane received an interception on the 10th of July 2011 near the same residence. Three total interceptions occurred that weekend under Obama's watch. The facility remains code-named Naval Support Facility Thurmont today.
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Common questions
When did the Works Progress Administration begin building Camp David?
The Works Progress Administration began building a retreat for federal agents in 1935. Workers constructed the facility within the wooded hills of Catoctin Mountain Park.
Who renamed the presidential retreat to Camp David and when did this happen?
Dwight D. Eisenhower gave the retreat its current name in 1953. He honored his father and grandson who both shared the name David.
What major diplomatic agreement was brokered at Camp David in September 1978?
Jimmy Carter brokered the Camp David Accords in September 1978. Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed agreements there.
Which president visited Camp David more than any other leader between 1981 and 1989?
Ronald Reagan visited the retreat more than any other president. His total count reached 189 visits between 1981 and 1989.
What incident involving an F-15 fighter jet occurred near Camp David on the 2nd of July 2011?
An F-15 fighter jet intercepted a civilian aircraft on the 2nd of July 2011. The plane flew approximately from Camp David while President Obama resided inside.