Places

Black and white photo looking down railroad tracks at a two story train station.
Before (and after) it was a battlefield, Monocacy Junction was a stop on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and a river crossing on the Georgetown Pike. The transportation features that gathered people into a small community surrounding it, also drew unwanted attention from Union and Confederate armies during the American Civil War.

NPS collection

 

Monocacy National Battlefield comprises 1,647 acres of farmland, forest and riparian areas a few miles south of Frederick, Maryland, in the Monocacy River Valley. The park includes six historic properties: the Baker, Best, Lewis, Thomas, and Worthington farms, as well as the Gambrill Mill and House. In the early 20th Century, Civil War Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy built monuments to commemorate the Battle of Monocacy.

The architectural styles of the structures in the park exhibit the variety of cultural traditions associated with agriculture in Western Maryland. Dwelling houses, forebay barns, the unique stone barn on the Best Farm (L'Hermitage) and the Georgian style of the Thomas Farm (Araby) main house all reflect the mix of Pennsylvania German, French, Caribbean, and Tidewater English influences on the area.

 
  • A two-story white farm house with a white barn and silo behind it.
    Wett Work
    Baker Farm

    The Baker Farm is currently only open to virtual visitation.

  • A farm house, small two-story building, and stone barn surrounded by green grassy fields.
    L'Hermitage
    Best Farm

    Named after the family that lived there during the battle, the Best Farm's Caribbean roots are evident in the architecture of its buildings.

  • Black and white photo of a three-story stone mill with a road in front.
    Araby Mills
    Gambrill Tract

    The water wheel and the third-floor are long gone, but Gambrill Mill still rests on the side of the river.

  • Two-story, white wooden farm house.
    Araby
    Lewis Farm

    Originally part of Araby (the Thomas Farm), the Lewis Farm is currently only open for virtual visitation.

  • Black and white photo of old white men in dark suits surrounding a flag draped monument.
    Landscape of Memory
    Monuments

    In the early 20th Century, veterans of the Civil War and their families began placing monuments on the battlefield.

  • Three-story brick farm house
    Araby
    Thomas Farm

    Before there were street addresses, properties were given names. Today's Thomas Farm was the heart of a large tract called Araby.

  • Two-story, red brick farm house with porch along the front.
    Clifton
    Worthington Farm

    John T. Worthington called his farm Riverside Farm, but previous owners had called it Clifton.

Last updated: August 18, 2021

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

4632 Araby Church Road
Frederick, MD 21704

Phone:

301 662-3515
Visitor Center Phone Number

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