Franklin D. Roosevelt referred to the presidential retreat now known as Camp David as Shangri-La.
The Naming by President Roosevelt
In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought a secluded and secure mountain retreat that could serve as an accessible getaway from Washington D.C. He converted a site within Catoctin Mountain Park for this purpose. Roosevelt famously renamed this newly established presidential hideaway "Shangri-La." This name was inspired by the fictional utopian paradise located in the Himalayas, as depicted in James Hilton's popular 1933 novel, Lost Horizon. The choice of "Shangri-La" reflected the desire for a tranquil, secluded, and idyllic sanctuary.
The Evolution to Camp David
The retreat maintained the name "Shangri-La" throughout Roosevelt's presidency and into the early years of his successor's term. It received its current and well-known name, Camp David, in 1953. This renaming was undertaken by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who chose the name to honor two significant individuals in his life: his father, David Jacob Eisenhower, and his grandson, Dwight David Eisenhower II, who was commonly known as David.
The table below summarizes the key name changes and their origins:
| Era | Name Given | Named By | Reason/Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 – 1953 | Shangri-La | Franklin D. Roosevelt | Inspired by the fictional Himalayan paradise from Lost Horizon, emphasizing seclusion. |
| 1953 – Present | Camp David | Dwight D. Eisenhower | In honor of his father and grandson, both named David. |
For additional historical details about this famous presidential retreat, you can explore resources such as the Camp David Wikipedia page.
