Gambrill Mill

Gambrill Mill

NPS / Claire Hassler

Quick Facts

Location:

Frederick, Maryland

Significance:

Battle of Monocacy

Designation:

National Battlefield, National Register of Historic Places, National Historic Landmark

Amenities

10 listed

Audio Description, Beach/Water Access, Benches/Seating, Cellular Signal, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Picnic Table, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead, Wheelchair Accessible

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. Originally known as Araby Mill, the stone mill building was constructed in 1830. James Gambrill purchased it in 1855. The Gambrill family owned and operated the mill into the 1890s when economic hardship forced them to sell the mill and the grand home that they built up the hill.

Gambrill Mill was a three-story merchant flour mill fitted with two pairs of "burr" or flour-milling stones. The mill's inside, undershot water wheel was powered by a millrace fed by nearby Bush Creek. The creek was dammed about a mile from the mill, and a sluice gate regulated the amount of water allowed to flow into the millrace. Remnants of the tailrace may still be seen at the front of the building. In addition to the flour mill, the complex also included a sawmill, a chopping and plaster mill, and a one-and-one-half story miller's house, along with a variety of other support structures. 

At its peak, the mill could produce up to sixty barrels of flour per day. James Gambrill employed three mill hands to manufacture the flour, along with two coopers to produce barrels for its transport. A contemporary newspaper account gave the following description:

By far, the Gambrill's mill did the most extensive business of all. The neat, well-appointed mill was up-to-the-minute...it was a pleasure to accompany the big wagon team on its slated trips to Gambrill's. The squat, neat old mill, the more than comfortable atmosphere of the place, and last, but not least, the handsome jolly miller, all combined to make one's visits a genuine pleasure.

A Field Hospital

During the Battle of Monocacy, Union forces were positioned in battle lines in the yard of the mill. The building was set up as a field hospital, although as Major General Lew Wallace declared in his autobiography, "the place appeared well selected for the purpose, its one inconvenience being that it was under fire." As the Federal forces fell back towards Baltimore, Confederate troops moved in and occupied the mill and the surrounding area.

In the 1920s, the top story of the mill was removed and the mill race partially filled in to convert the building into a dwelling house. Today, Gambrill Mill is used by the National Park Service for staff offices.

Duration:

3 minutes, 31 seconds

Two Medals of Honor were earned for actions during the Battle of Monocacy. This video discusses the two Vermont soldiers that received the Medals of Honor and covers the final shots of the Battle.