Gambrill House, Urbana Park, Frederick, Frederick County, MD

See also HALS MD-11 for related documentation.
Significance: The Gambrill House was built ca. 1872 for James H. Gambrill, a successful Frederick County miller. Gambrill built the Second-Empire style mansion on high ground overlooking Araby Mill, a gristmill and the source of his prosperity. At the time it was one of the county's largest and grandest residences. The mansard-roofed building was one of the few full expressions of the Second-Empire style built in the Frederick County countryside. The National Park Service acquired the Gambrill property in 1981, to be part of Monocacy National Battlefield. The Battle of Monocacy (July 9, 1864) was fought on this and neighboring farms. Though the Confederacy won a nominal victory, Union commander Lew Wallace succeeded in delaying Confederate Jubal A. Early long enough to prevent the latter's seizure of Washington. The Gambrill House had yet to be built at the time of the battle. The mansion relates to the Civil War-period of the community, however, in that it is representative of rebuilding and improvement that took place locally during the immediate post-war years.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-139
Survey number: HABS MD-1051
Building/structure dates: 1872 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1967 Subsequent Work
National Register of Historic Places NRIS Number: 66000908