The 10th Vermont Monument was dedicated in 1915 by the State of Vermont to honor the 10th Vermont infantry Regiment. This monument was the fourth erected at Monocacy.
Dedicated on July 9, 1907, the 14th New Jersey Monument was the first Civil War monument erected at Monocacy Junction. The State of New Jersey commissioned the monument in honor of the soldiers of the 14th New Jersey Regiment for the their dedicated service and sacrifice throughout the Civil War.
The quiet farm fields of the Best Farm hide deep stories of conflict and struggle. Originally known as L'Hermitage, the French-Caribbean family that sought freedom and safety here enslaved up to 90 people of African descent. During the Civil War, Union and Confederate armies took turns occupying the land; finally clashing here on July 9, 1864. This is tour stop 1 on the driving tour.
The unusual architecture of the Best Farmhouse hints at its unexpected history. Built by French refugees fleeing the civil unrest of the French and Haitian Revolutions, the style is a mixture of French, Caribbean, and early Federal styles.
Smaller and less grand than the neighboring main house, the Secondary House on is probably the oldest existing structure on the Best Farm. Evidence suggests it has primarily served as a tenant house throughout its existence.
The battle had been raging for almost six hours when around 2 pm McLaughlin's battery of Confederate artillery was brought across the Worthington-McKinney Ford to support Gordon's attack.
Built by the Gambrill family 1872-1873. The family owned the Gambrill Mill and lived in the miller’s house during the Battle of Monocacy. Today it houses the headquarters of the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center.
During the Civil War, James H. Gambrill owned and operated a flour mill, a sawmill, and a plaster mill on this land. Today only the first two-levels of the flour mill remain. A wheelchair accessible boardwalk provides access to a scenic overlook of the Monocacy River and the road and railroad bridges.
Located near the historic Gambrill Mill, the picnic area has picnic tables, a pond, and a meadow. Access to Bush Creek and the Monocacy River is a short walk away.
The pump house contains equipment that has served as part of an elaborate system to provide hot and cold running water for indoor plumbing to the Gambrill House on top of the hill.
Two waysides near the Worthington House highlight the important events that occurred at the farm on July 9, 1864. The "Ambush" wayside details the first Confederate attack after they succeeded in crossing the Monocacy River at the nearby ford. The "Through the Eyes of Child" wayside addresses Glenn Worthington's experience as he watched the battle from a basement window.
This Gambrill House wayside provides information about the history of the house that is in the view on the incline above the wayside beyond a line of trees. It also describes the current use of the house as the headquarters for the Historic Preservation Training Center.
This wayside addresses the actions of Union troops during the Battle of Monocacy on the east end of the Thomas Farm just off the Georgetown Pike and north of Baker Valley Road.
This wayside addresses the retreat of Union troops at the end of the Battle of Monocacy on the Gambrill Mill Property just south of Bush Creek. The wayside is located off of a flat, mowed grass trail.
Scenic view of Monocacy River with interpretive waysides describing the burning of the covered bridge during the Battle of Monocacy and the Union retreat over the railroad bridge.
The “A Bold Plan” wayside is at the end of the publicly accessible portion of Worthington Lane next to the parking area. It addresses General R E Lee’s plans to disrupt Union plans and has a high-level review of the driving tour and it’s stops.
There are three panels at the Best Farm. One addresses the history of L’Hermitage the original plantation located on the farm. A second wayside speaks to what the Best Family went through during the Battle of Monocacy. A third wayside is a map of the buildings, both existing and now gone, that are or were part of the Best Farm.
The Junction Trail parallels the B&O Railroad Frederick Spur to the first Wye Junction in the United States. There are two waysides near the junction that illuminate the role of the railroad in the battle and the U.S. Colored Troops recruiting station that was located at Monocacy Junction.
The stone barn on the Best Farm is one of the most unusual structures at Monocacy National Battlefield. It was constructed in the late 19th century by French-Caribbean immigrants.
The Maryland Monument at Monocacy National Battlefield was dedicated on July 9, 1964, to commemorate the centennial of the Battle of Monocacy. The Maryland Civil War Centennial Commission dedicated the monument to the soldiers from Maryland regardless of whether they fought for the Union or the Confederacy.
Erected by the state of Pennsylvania and unveiled on November 24, 1908, this was the second monument to be constructed on the battlefield. The monument honors the soldiers from 67th, 87th, and 138th Pennsylvania Regiments who fought at the Battle of Monocacy for the Union forces.
In 1860, Christian Keefer Thomas purchased a 261-acre farm called Araby. C. K. Thomas relocated his family to Frederick County to avoid Baltimore's pre-war strife; however, Arby’s location near important transportation routes and Monocacy Junction subjected it to both Union and Confederate troops throughout the war.
On the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1914, the United Daughters of the Confederacy gathered on the side of the Georgetown Pike to dedicate a monument to the Confederate soldiers who had fought and died there. They were joined by 500 invited guests and dignitaries. It was the third monument erected on the battlefield and the only one honoring Confederates.
During the Battle of Monocacy on July 9, 1864, Confederate troops crossed the Monocacy River via a ford onto the Worthington Farm. From the farm fields, the Confederates initiated three advances toward the Union line positioned at the neighboring Thomas Farm. Today visitors may enjoy scenic views and hiking trails.
John and Mary Worthington bought the house and farm in 1862 and moved into it with their two sons, John and Glenn. In the winter of 1862–1863, Union troops camped in the area, and, while they had a major effect on the farm and the family who lived there, probably had little effect on the house. However, the Battle of Monocacy was fought around it on July 9, 1864.
