President and Mrs. Ford with their dog, Liberty, at Camp David 1974
Big plans this holiday weekend? The Obamas are headed to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin mountains. The 143-acre site is one of the most heavily guarded in America — nothing is getting in. No press, no unauthorized guests, no tourists, and no world leaders without a special invite. Which all may explain why it’s so popular with presidents.
“The most unexpected and uniform advice that I got [from my predecessors] was, go to Camp David early and often … universally, across the spectrum,” Michelle Obama told Time Magazine. “It’s the one place you can go where you feel some level of freedom and an ability to breathe.”
Eisenhower named Camp David for his grandson. Before that, FDR called it Shangri-La. Most presidents since have loved beating a retreat to Camp David, or “Camp” as it’s known in the White House vernacular. Truman’s wife, Bess, reportedly found it boring. But Nixon was a huge enthusiast, and oversaw major renovation and modernization of the compound.
Former President Bush spent 487 days at Camp David, according to Mark Knoller of CBS News. Obama, who gets restless around the White House, has shown a decided preference for the presidential reteat — he skipped the prestigious Gridiron Club dinner this year to spend time there.
“You can see during the summer it’s going to be a nice place to spend a lot of time,” the president said.
Even for reporters who cover the White House, Camp David is something of a mystery. Presidents rarely summon the press to the retreat, and even then the opportunities for sightseeing are minimal. Some of the best historic photos of the place can be found here, taken by some of the Marines who have guarded Camp David over the years.
Aspen Lodge, Camp David (in winter!) photo: National Archives
