Gathland State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gathland State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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The War Correspondents Memorial Arch at Gathland State Park
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 Gathland State Park
Location in Maryland
Gathland State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Frederick County & Washington County, Maryland, United States |
| Nearest town | Burkittsville, Maryland |
| Area | 140 acres (57 ha) |
| Elevation | 961 ft (293 m) |
| Designation | Maryland state park |
| Established | 1949 |
| Administrator | Maryland Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Gathland State Park |
Gathland State Park is a fun place to visit in Maryland, United States. It is a public park and a historic site. The park is located on South Mountain near Burkittsville.
This park used to be the home of a famous writer named George Alfred Townsend. He wrote under the pen name "Gath" during the American Civil War. The park has some old buildings and a special arch. This arch is called the War Correspondents Memorial Arch. It sits right next to the Appalachian Trail. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources takes care of the park. The National Park Service helps maintain the arch, which is a National Historic Monument.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
George Alfred Townsend's Estate
In 1884, George Alfred Townsend bought land in a place called Crampton's Gap. This area was important during the American Civil War. A battle happened here between Union and Confederate soldiers. It was part of the larger Battle of South Mountain. Townsend wanted a quiet place to live and work. He started designing buildings for his new home, which he called Gapland.
His first house, Gapland Hall, was built in 1885. It had eleven rooms! That same year, he built Gapland Lodge. This stone building was for his staff. In 1890, a large building called the Den and Library was added. It had a study, a library, and ten bedrooms. Today, only its foundation and some small pieces remain.
After Townsend passed away, Gapland was sold a few times. Then, in 1949, the Department of Forests and Parks bought it. They named it Gathland State Park.
What You Can See and Do
The War Correspondents Arch
Townsend's most famous project was finished in 1896. This was the War Correspondents Memorial Arch. It was the first monument in the world built to honor journalists. These journalists were killed while reporting on wars. Since then, other similar memorials have been built.
Exploring the Park Today
Gapland Hall was fixed up in 1958. Today, it is the park's visitors center. It also has a museum about George Alfred Townsend ("Gath"). Gapland Lodge has a museum too. This museum shows what the battle at Crampton's Gap was like. This battle happened just before the famous Antietam.
Visitors can also see the remains of a mausoleum. Townsend built this in 1895 for himself, but it was never used. It used to have a large bronze dog on top. Now, only the chamber remains. The words "Good Night Gath" are carved into its marble lintel.
The park also hosts special events. You can see Civil War encampments. There are also "living history" weekends. These events show what life was like in the 1800s.
