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The site of Maryland's frontier defense during the French and Indian War
(1754-1763), the Fort's stone wall and two barracks have been restored to their
1758 appearance. Historic displays are in the Fort, barracks and Visitor Center.
The park annually holds military reenactments and other special events. Park
lands adjoin the Potomac River and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal passes through
park acreage. Tours are available by request. Daily Living History programming
is available from Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends in the spring
and fall.
The stone fort, named in honor of Maryland's Lord Proprietor, Frederick
Calvert, Sixth Lord Baltimore, was erected by Governor Horatio Sharpe in 1756 to
protect English settlers from the French and their Indian allies. Fort Frederick
was unique because of its large size and strong stone wall. Most other forts of
the period were built of wood and earth. The fort served as an important supply
base for English campaigns. During 1763, an Ottawa Indian chief named Pontiac
forged a massive Indian uprising. Several hundred settlers and militia force
sought protection within the fort during this brief uprising.
Fort Frederick saw service again during the American Revolution as a prison
for Hessian (German) and British soldiers. In 1791, the State of Maryland sold
the fort. For the next 131 years, the fort and surrounding lands were farmed.
During the Civil War, Union troops were often stationed around the fort to guard
the C & O Canal.
In 1922, the State of Maryland re-purchased the fort. Throughout the 1920's,
the State began development of Maryland's first state park. During the Great
Depression of the 1930's, a company of the Civilian Conservation Corps was
assigned to the park to reconstruct the dilapidated stone wall, perform
archaeology and locate the foundations of the original interior buildings.
Restoration continued in 1975. Future plans include reconstruction of the
Officer's Quarters and other defensive works. Pick up a map of the park.
We invite you to check out the Special Events for 2006 for the park and
Woodmont Lodge.
Features
 America's
premier stone fortification from the French and Indian War, boat launch, cross
country skiing, camp sites, camp store, food and beverage, fishing, flat water
canoeing, hiking trail, historic interest, picnic, playground, shelters,
visitor's center. Call the park for fort hours.
The visitor center offers a 10 minute orientation film, "Legacy of Fort
Frederick," upon request. Exhibits highlight aspects of the park's history.
Concession items, including souvenirs and food, are offered at Captain Wort's
Sutler Shop. Call the park for shop hours.
Fort Frederick State Park offers an easy trail for hikers. The Wetlands
Trail, .3 miles in length, passes along a wetlands area behind the campground.
Hikers can see several species of turtles, waterfowl, birds, as well as
white-tailed deer and other wildlife.
Located just one-half mile west of Fort Frederick is the Western Maryland
Rail Trail, a 23-mile long paved path that follows the former Western
Maryland Railway line. The Rails to Trails Conservancy, a non-profit
organization, recently chose the Western Maryland Rail Trail as one of the top
12 trails in the United States for viewing fall foliage. The peak foliage season
in Western Maryland begins in mid October, and provides an excellent opportunity
for picturesque photography along the trail. The Western Maryland Rail Trail can
be accessed from I-70, from either exit 12 (Big Pool), exit 3 (Hancock), or from
I-68 at exit 77 (Pearre Station).
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