Why Is It Called Prince Frederick? — A Deep Dive Into Calvert County’s Historic Town

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Prince Frederick is one of the most interesting towns in Calvert County. Originally named after Frederick, Prince of Wales, the community has grown into Calvert County’s political seat and holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Southern Marylanders. In this article, The BayNet took a deep dive into the rich history surrounding Prince Frederick and why it remained an important political location to this day.

Who Is Prince Frederick Named After?

After relocating the Calvert County seat to Williams’ Old Field, the resulting town was named after Frederick, Prince of Wales, to honor the royal figure, who lived between 1707 and 1751. When it was first founded, the Maryland town was called Prince Fredericktown, but the name was shortened in the early 1900s.

Frederick, Prince of Wales, is a fascinating historical figure. Though he was the eldest son and seemingly the heir to King George II of Great Britain, Frederick never inherited the throne. In fact, Frederick, Prince of Wales, is said to have been estranged from both of his parents.

The prince’s parents left Hanover when he was only a young boy of around 7 years old, causing great strain to their relationship. Frederick would then be raised by those around him, including his granduncle, Ernest Augustus. Frederick didn’t see either of his parents again for more than a decade.

Though he never became king, Frederick held many important jobs throughout the kingdom and was the father of King George III. Frederick was a representative for the House of Hanover, and King George II is said to have had an ongoing feud with his son due to Frederick’s perceived mishandling of political affairs within the House.

Frederick eventually received the title of Prince of Wales in 1729. In addition to his political career, Frederick, Prince of Wales, had a deep interest in the performing arts, and some accounts claim that he co-wrote a theatrical comedy script that was received quite poorly by the audience.

Overall, Frederick led a life surrounded by politics and the arts, and his name will forever be cemented into Calvert County history. However, Frederick never visited Maryland or even America, as he lived his entire life in Europe.

Why Is The Town Of Prince Frederick So Important?

In addition to the historical tale behind its name, Prince Frederick is a political hotspot in Southern Maryland. Prince Frederick has been the seat of Calvert County since the 1720s, though construction of the local courthouse wasn’t completed until 1732.

The creation of the courthouse in the 1720s prompted the town of Prince Frederick to grow into what you see today. The British burned down much of Prince Frederick during the War of 1812, but it was rebuilt, and it still serves as the seat of government in Calvert County.

To learn more about the history behind Calvert County, visit Maryland.gov.

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