Camp Carroll

History: Once part of a 2,568-acre tract, this land was once known as the Georgia Plantation. Purchased by Charles Carroll in 1732, it remained in his family until 1852. Gen. John Reese Kenly, of the Maryland militia, converted the pastures into a training facility named Camp Carroll after the Baltimore Riot in 1861, which marked the first bloodshed of the Civil War. Units were trained here in drill, guard, and patrol duties. The next year, the camp was renamed Camp Chesebrough, to honor the Lt. Colonel of the 11th US Infantry, William G. Chesebrough. The camp remained in use by Federal forces until the end of the war, and the name reverted to Camp Carroll.

More to Explore: Mount Clare Mansion, now a museum, was constructed by Charles Carroll's son on this site in 1760 and is a must see. The colonial Georgian home was designated a National Historic landmark in 1971, and is fully furnished with 18th and 19th century furniture, paintings, d'ecor, and other household objects. During your visit you will learn not only about the owner and his family, but the life of the slaves and indentured servants who lived here as well. Special holiday and seasonal events add to a delightful visit. Take a tour of this remarkable home and immerse yourself in the history that radiates from every corner.

Photo Credits:

1. “13th Pennsylvania Cavalry at Camp Carroll 1862.” Courtesy of Enoch Pratt Free Library, State Library Resources Center, Baltimore.
2. “Historic American Buildings Survey Lanny Miyamoto, October 1958, Mount Clare.” Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress.
3. “Mount Clare Baltimore, December 2011.” Photo Courtesy of Pubdog.