Historic Fort Ritchie's property was initially established in 1889 as the site of an Ice Company who created Lake Royer and Wastler to harvest naturally cut ice. In 1926, the property was bought by the Maryland National Guard and many of the fieldstone buildings on site today were built between 1927 and 1935. During World War II, the now internationally famous Ritchie Boys trained on site. This group of sizable immigrant soldiers were responsible for most of the intelligence gathering during the War. From 1951 until Fort Ritchie closed in 1998, the United States Army used the property to support communications for the White House and Pentagon. Much of Fort Ritchie was left abandoned for over two decades. Today, the property is beginning to come back to life with families and businesses. We hope you'll make your Lakeside celebration a part of this stunning property's revival.