Gathland State Park

Gathland State Park is a public recreation area and historic preserve situated on South Mountain near Burkittsville, Maryland. The park was once the estate of war correspondent George Alfred Townsend, who wrote under the pen name 'Gath' during the American Civil War. Today, it is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and features several original structures from Townsend's time, including the War Correspondents Memorial Arch.

War Correspondents Memorial Arch

One of the key features of Gathland State Park is the War Correspondents Memorial Arch, one of the few remaining original structures from the estate. This monument, which sits alongside the Appalachian Trail, is a National Historic Monument maintained by the National Park Service. It was the first monument in the world dedicated to journalists killed in combat.

Gapland Hall and Gapland Lodge

Gapland Hall, renovated in 1958, serves as the park's visitor center and a museum dedicated to George Alfred Townsend. Here, visitors can learn more about Townsend's life and work. Additionally, Gapland Lodge houses a museum that depicts the Battle at Crampton's Gap, providing a historical context for the park's location.