The Maryland Geocaching Society welcomes you to the 2018 edition of Cache Across Maryland! This is one of eleven geocaches placed throughout the "Old Line State" in locations chosen to showcase Maryland's diverse beauty. From the mountains of Western Maryland to the Atlantic Ocean, Cache Across Maryland 2018 will once again demonstrate that Maryland truly is “America in Miniature”.

Each geocache contains a code which you will use to determine the location of the CAM 2018 Picnic to be held on May 5th, 2018. The code can be found on the inside of the cache container and on the inside front cover of the logbook. Don't forget to record this code! Any geocacher who has completed at least TEN of the eleven CAM geocaches and attends the CAM Picnic on May 5th will receive a Certificate of Completion and a Cache Across Maryland 2018 Geocoin in Antique Silver. We hope you enjoy CAM 2018!

Fort Frederick

Fort Frederick encapsulates American history from the colonial period to the present and is one of the largest fortifications built by English colonists in North America. The fort's exterior lines are 355 feet from bastion point to bastion point. Its stone wall is about 18 feet high and at least three major buildings originally stood inside that wall. The design of the fort conforms to the style developed early in the 18th century by Sebastien de Vauban, a French military engineer who is considered the father of modern fortification.

Named by then Governor Horatio Sharpe for Frederick Calvert, Lord Baltimore and Proprietor of Maryland, the fort was built for defense of frontier settlers during the French and Indian War. Building commenced in 1756, and continued until funding was withdrawn by the Maryland Assembly two years later, yet it seems the fort was substantially completed by that time. Although no military action occurred at Fort Frederick during this war, it did serve as an important staging area and supply base for English operations further west.

The fort was used during several subsequent wars, including Pontiac’s War in 1763, and the American Revolution, when it was pressed back into military service in 1777 to house British prisoners of war. By the end of the Revolution, thousands of British troops were imprisoned here. Two companies of Union infantry were briefly stationed in the area during the Civil War. After the Revolutionary War, the fort and surrounding land were sold by the State of Maryland at public auction. For well over a century, this land was owned and farmed by a family of free African-Americans. Nathan Williams, whose father purchased his freedom, was the family patriarch. As his family grew, they also became involved with African-American education and politics.

The fort was re-acquired by the State of Maryland in 1922, and in the 1930’s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) restored the fort walls and and started development of the state park. Since then, the fort’s stone wall and barracks have been restored to their 1758 appearance. Today, the west barracks are furnished as they would have been in 1758 when Maryland troops garrisoned Fort Frederick, and the east barracks house an interpretive center showcasing the fort’s history.

The fort is open to visitors daily, year-round. The barracks and other buildings are open daily from April through October. Special weekday tours for educational groups during the off-season can be arranged through the park's office. Summer activities include performances by volunteer reactivated military units, guided tours, audio-visual programs and a crafts program.

Park Information:

Fort Frederick State Park offers camping, hiking trails, fishing, and boating.

Hours of Operation: 10AM to sunset, November-March, 8AM to sunset, April-October.

Entrance fees: $3 per vehicle for Maryland residents; $5 per vehicle for non-MD residents.

Pets are allowed in day-use and picnic areas only, but must remain leashed.

Pets are allowed in the campground.

Pets are not allowed inside the Fort and park buildings.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park.

Information signs warn of poisonous snakes and bears in the area.

Tent camp sites are available April through October only; self-contained recreational vehicles are allowed year-round.

Only Registered Campers are allowed beyond the gate at the 2nd parking coordinates. Obey all traffic signs, and park in designated areas only.

Note that on April 26th to 29th, 2018, the park will be holding their annual 18th Century Market Fair. Fair hours are 9-5 (9-3 on Sunday). The admission charge during this event is $5 per adult, $2 ages 6-12. There will be no vehicular access to the park beyond the field next to Big Pool Road.

As you make your plans for CAM, please obey park hours as noted. The park and fort open at 10am in March, so no one should be trying to gain access before then. We want to maintain a good relationship with all park services (local, state and national) so that we can continue to enjoy all that Maryland offers for those seeking outdoor activities and educational opportunities while geocaching along the way!

This geocache was placed by permission of the Maryland DNR Western Region. The MGS extends its thanks to the staff of Fort Frederick State Park for approving this cache placement.