PRESIDENT ENJOYS CAMPING IN THE MIDST OF THE BLUE RIDGE
Hagerstown, Maryland (JFK+50) On July 23, 1921, Warren G. Harding "tented...in the midst of the beauties of the Blue Ridge." The President of the United States, along with Thomas A. Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, "spent most of the day sitting or sleeping."
The campsite is located near Pecktonville*, "a few miles west of Fairview Mountain." Arriving at the camp, the President removed his suit coat and went to work chopping firewood but soon "gave way to Mr. Ford."
After their dinner, the President and his fellow campers sat in a circle to hear a recitation of "Henry and Me" by Bishop Anderson.
The Presidential campsite sports "two big eating tents" and nineteen tents for sleeping. Mrs. Harding was unable to join her husband due to illness.
*Pecktonville, Maryland is an unincorporated community located in Washington County.
SOURCE
"Harding Chops Wood to Cook Camp Dinner, Sleeps in Tent," The New York Tribune, July 24, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
