Gathland State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gathland State Park |
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The War Correspondents Memorial Arch at Gathland State Park
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| Location | Frederick and Washington counties, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest town | Burkittsville, Maryland |
| Area | 144 acres (58 ha) |
| Elevation | 929 ft (283 m) |
| Established | 1949 |
| Administered by | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
Gathland State Park is a cool place to visit in Maryland, USA. It's a public park and a historic spot located on South Mountain, near Burkittsville. This park used to be the home of a famous war correspondent named George Alfred Townsend (1841-1914). He wrote stories during the American Civil War using the pen name "Gath."
The park still has some of his original buildings. The most famous is the War Correspondents Memorial Arch. This special arch stands right next to the Appalachian Trail, a very long hiking path. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources takes care of the park. The arch itself is a National Historic Monument, looked after by the National Park Service.
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A Park with a Past: Gathland's History
Gathland State Park has a rich history, especially from the time of the American Civil War. It was once the private estate of a well-known writer.
George Townsend's Mountain Retreat
In 1884, George Alfred Townsend bought land in a place called Crampton's Gap. This area was important because a battle happened there during the Maryland Campaign of the Civil War. Union and Confederate soldiers fought at Crampton's Gap, which is one of three gaps on South Mountain.
Townsend wanted a quiet place to relax and write. He immediately started designing buildings for his new estate, which he called Gapland. His first project was Gapland Hall, an eleven-room house built in 1885. That same year, he added Gapland Lodge, a stone building for his staff. Later, in 1890, he built a large Den and Library Building with a study and ten bedrooms. Today, only the foundation and some small pieces of this building remain.
From Estate to State Park
After Townsend passed away, his estate changed owners a few times. Then, in 1949, the Department of Forests and Parks bought the land. They turned it into a state park and named it Gathland State Park. This made sure that everyone could visit and learn about its history.
What You Can See at Gathland Park
Gathland State Park offers many interesting things to explore, from unique monuments to historic buildings and special events.
The Famous War Correspondents Arch
Townsend's most famous project was finished in 1896: the War Correspondents Memorial Arch. This arch was the first monument in the entire world built to honor journalists who died while reporting from wars. Since then, other memorials have been built for war correspondents, but this one was the first. It's a truly special and important landmark.
Exploring the Historic Buildings
You can visit Gapland Hall, which was updated in 1958. It now serves as the park's visitors center. Inside, you'll find a museum dedicated to George Alfred Townsend, or "Gath." You can learn all about his life and work.
Another building, Gapland Lodge, has a museum about the Battle of Crampton's Gap. This battle happened right before the much larger battle at Antietam. It helps visitors understand the important events that took place here.
Step Back in Time: Living History
Visitors can also see what's left of a mausoleum that Townsend built for himself in 1895. A mausoleum is a building where someone is buried. He never actually used it, but you can still see the chamber. The words "Good Night Gath" are carved into the marble above the entrance.
The park also hosts special events like Civil War encampments. These "living history" weekends show what life was like in the 19th century. You can see people dressed in period clothes and learn about daily activities from that time.
