Robert P. Savitt

Originally named Shangri-La by Franklin D. Roosevelt, today's Camp David was a well-guarded secret until its existence was revealed after World War II. A US Naval facility set on a mountaintop, Camp David's tight security has piqued the curiosity of Americans and foreigners. Prior to the outbreak of war, Roosevelt had access to the nearby presidential yacht as a "getaway" to escape the pressures of life in the White House. After a brief search of nearby locations, a site on Catoctin Mountain in Maryland was chosen as the place for the presidential retreat. It remained Shangri La until President Eisenhower said the name was "just a little fancy for a Kansas farm boy" and renamed it Camp David after his father and grandson in 1953. It has served as retreat for each succeeding president and, in addition to providing rest and relaxation, has been the setting of several historic meetings. Robert P. Savitt writes and lectures on a variety of historical subjects. He holds a doctoral degree from Georgetown University, served in the Departments of Defense and State, and was legislative director for a US senator. Savitt has authored three previous Arcadia Publishing titles.

The 200-year-old National Road is often referred to as "The Main Street of America. It was the nation's first federally funded highway and eventually passed through more than 25 cities and towns in Maryland. The 33-mile Maryland portion of the original road was linked with privately constructed turnpikes to extend it to 170 miles in the state. In its early days, the National Road thrived as it helped to open the American West to settlement and commerce.With the rise of railroad transportation in the 1850s, the turnpike became almost obsolete and deteriorated significantly. But the road was rescued in the early 1900s as the increasing popularity of automobile travel led to its revival. In recent years, some of the original structures along the road have been restored, including restaurants, inns, and other commercial establishments. Hostelries and eateries such as the Casselman Inn in Grantsville, the South Mountain Inn between Middletown and Boonsboro, and the Vintage restaurant in New Market draw on their links to the old National Road to attract travelers. Through exhibits and lectures, local civic groups and historical societies continue to memorialize and celebrate the rich history of America's main street--the National Road.Robert P. Savitt lectures and writes on a variety of historical subjects. He holds a doctoral degree from Georgetown University, has served in the Departments of Defense and State, and was legislative director for a US senator. Savitt has authored two previous Arcadia titles.

The 200-year-old National Road is often referred to as "The Main Street of America." It was the nation's first federally funded highway and eventually passed through more than 25 cities and towns in Maryland. The 33-mile Maryland portion of the original road was linked with privately constructed turnpikes to extend it to 170 miles in the state. In its early days, the National Road thrived as it helped to open the American West to settlement and commerce. With the rise of railroad transportation in the 1850s, the turnpike became almost obsolete and deteriorated significantly. But the road was rescued in the early 1900s as the increasing popularity of automobile travel led to its revival. In recent years, some of the original structures along the road have been restored, including restaurants, inns, and other commercial establishments. Hostelries and eateries such as the Casselman Inn in Grantsville, the South Mountain Inn between Middletown and Boonsboro, and the Vintage restaurant in New Market draw on their links to the old National Road to attract travelers. Through exhibits and lectures, local civic groups and historical societies continue to memorialize and celebrate the rich history of America's main street--the National Road.