War Correspondents Memorial Arch

This elaborate arch was designed to commemorate the journalists and artists of the Civil War.

George Alfred Townsend, the youngest war correspondent of the Civil War, became a novelist after the war. While researching one of his books, he discovered the Burkittsville area in Frederick County and constructed a house, “Gapland Hall,” in Crampton’s Gap overlooking the town. Crampton’s Gap was where part of the Battle of South Mountain was fought. While living at Gapland, he designed this memorial to his fellow war correspondents and artists who had depicted the Civil War. The arch was dedicated on October 16th, 1896. The memorial is now part of Gathland State Park, but is maintained by the National Park Service.