A stone star fort in the Maryland Panhandle, Fort Frederick Maryland was built in the 1750s to defend Maryland from French and Indian raiders. During the American Revolution it was used as a prisoner of war camp for soldiers surrendered at Yorktown. It was a Federal outpost during the civil war when it saw its only shots fired in anger as some of Lee’s men on their way to Gettysburg fired a few shots at the fort’s walls to make sure the soldiers inside kept their heads down.
It fell into disrepair and was mended in the 1930’s as part of the public works programs of FDR.
Historical reenactors in the fort have frequently reported a presence or hostile feelings coming from the front right bastion, or of being followed out of it. Interestingly people re-enacting Scottish regiments sense a presence in this same place but it is friendly and curious. Four Scottish regiments were among those surrendered at Yorktown in 1781.
(Submitted by “Graves”)
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Geographic Information
- Address:
- 11100 Fort Frederick Rd
Big Pool, MD 21711
United States
Get Directions » - GPS:
- 39.613523, -78.00623889999997
- County:
- Washington County, Maryland
- Nearest Towns:
- Big Pool, MD (0.9 mi.)
Ernstville, MD (1.7 mi.)
Indian Springs, MD (2.3 mi.)
Big Spring, MD (3.7 mi.)
Hedgesville, WV (4.2 mi.)
Pecktonville, MD (4.4 mi.)
Clear Spring, MD (4.9 mi.)
Charlton, MD (6.1 mi.)
Falling Waters, WV (7.2 mi.)
Pinesburg, MD (8.0 mi.)
Contact Information
- Web:
- http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/fortfrederick.aspx
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Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends.
I was there severla years ago in a re-enactment, ‘ocucpying’ the fort. walking around friday night there was a feeling on intense hostility coming from one of the bastions. no wehre else and just there. I was new to re-enacting and didn’t say a word about it. i didn’t want to get teased. saturday there were no problems during daylight hours but again at night, that one spot was…creepy. I said nothing.
A few hours later as we were sitting the barracks talking an officer came in, experienced re-enactor, absolutely white saying “I just had the creepiewst experience” and as he said that the damn burst. of 20 of us in the fort a dozen had the same experience but no one had wanted to say a word about it. The feeling was subjective. the fact we all had the same thing in the same area was objective.
When I was younger my dad and my sister and me used to reinacct at fort Fredrick, I always felt like someone was watching me and following me. At night when my sister and me would have to go to the restroom, we would have to go outside the fort to the other building and we would always be creeped out. I loved it there so much though
I am a Revolutionary War reenactor who has family members that set up for Market Fair (Friends of Fort Frederick event in April). During one Market Fair, I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom (Port a Pot) near the handicap parking. It was a clear cool night with a quarter moon. I saw a soldier walking from the direction of the visitor center towards the fort. I thought it was interesting because the soldier was in uniform carrying a pack (rolled blanket) and gear. I could not see the soldier’s feet or make out the head gear to give me a clue as to era (French and Indian or Rev War). I should explain that I am sensitive to paranormal activity and I see apparitions as dark shadows. I was a little startled when I saw the soldier but I did not have negative vibes. It was just a soldier going about their business.
Another time, my family and I were camping down near the water. My young children woke up early. We decided to go for a walk so as not to wake up the rest of the campers. We headed for the bathrooms behind the country store. As we were approaching the parking lot, I was looking down the path/road towards the entrance. I saw a young man walking towards us. The young man was dressed in khaki. I thought it was a park ranger. The young man was too far away to say “Hello” so I was going to wave when he reached the tree line. I turned to check on my kids and when I turned back the young man was gone. I kept scanning the clearing around the fort but could not see the young man. It was odd because I could see so much detail. Khaki button down shirt and Khaki pants. My only guess is CCC apparition?
My family and I love going to Fort Frederick. Does it have locations that feel a little tense…absolutely. Given the history of this location there were a range of feelings with each inhabitant. Appreciate the history. Enjoy the scenery.
From 1973 to 1983 I was a member of a Revolutionary War bicentennial unit that staged several presentations at the Fort during the summer. On one occasion, about an hour before our presentation was to begin, it began to rain. We took shelter as best we could (this was before the barracks buildings I the fort were reconstructed). Our musicians began to pass the time by playing 18th century music on the fifes and drums.
One tune was the Welsh March Men of Harlech. Within five minutes of the songs conclusion, the rain ceased. Fast forward to the next year and once again rain was falling before the start of the performance. One of the fifers suggested playing Men of Harlech, which they did. And the rain again ceased after the song was played. We speculated that perhaps the spirit of a Welsh soldier was intervening on our behalf? Regardless, whenever rain threatened, Men of Harlech was played and the rain ceased. Our protection was not limited to Ft. Frederick.
In 1983 our unit was part of Expedition Liberte’ to Paris to commemorate the bicentennial of the Treaty of Paris. The event opening ceremony took place in the evening on the Champs d’Mars. A heavy rainstorm rolled in at the start of the program. The music immediately struck up Men of Harlech, and the rain ceased for 20 minutes, just long enough to complete our presentation.