Historic Fort Lincoln encompassed a site with a long history: circa 1540, the Lincoln Oak began growing and later became a frequent meeting place where President Abraham Lincoln conferred with his generals away from the pressures of the White House; in 1680 the original land was granted from Lord Baltimore to George Conn; in 1683 the Old Spring House was erected as one of the oldest buildings in the State of Maryland; from 1800 to 1859 the area was known as the Dueling Grounds, including the site of the 1820 duel between Steven Decatur and James Barron; from 1812 to 1814, during the Battle of Bladensburg in the War of 1812, Joshua Barney's gallant defense of Washington was eventually overwhelmed; and in 1861, during the Civil War, Fort Lincoln and Battery Jameson formed part of the eastern defense perimeter of Washington.