Defending the Frontier

July 3, 2021 -- Mom and Dad used to take day trips. They visited lots of nearby places. Mom suggested we visit nearby Fort Frederick, ironically not located in Frederick, but Big Pool. Fort Frederick was the cornerstone of Maryland's frontier defense during the French and Indian War. The stone fort was built in 1756. The 268 year old fort has been restored and is part of the 585-acre Fort Frederick State Park.

Old Glory

Barracks

Reenactors

During the American Revolutionary War, Fort Frederick housed British prisoners. During the Civil War, Union soldiers were often stationed nearby to protect the C&O Canal.

Walls of the fort

Between 1857 and 1911, the fort area was owned and farmed by Nathan Williams and his family. They were free African Americans. The state of Maryland acquired the fort in 1922. Fort Frederick was Maryland's first state  park.

The courtyard