F-4-119 Joseph Gaber (Gaver) Farm

Architectural Survey File

This is the architectural survey file for this MIHP record. The survey file is organized reverse- chronological (that is, with the latest material on top). It contains all MIHP inventory forms, National Register nomination forms, determinations of eligibility (DOE) forms, and accompanying documentation such as photographs and maps.

Users should be aware that additional undigitized material about this property may be found in on-site architectural reports, copies of HABS/HAER or other documentation, drawings, and the “vertical files” at the MHT Library in Crownsville. The vertical files may include newspaper clippings, field notes, draft versions of forms and architectural reports, photographs, maps, and drawings. Researchers who need a thorough understanding of this property should plan to visit the MHT Library as part of their research project; look at the MHT web site (mht..gov) for details about how to make an appointment.

All material is property of the Maryland Historical Trust.

Last Updated: 11-21-2003 Survey # F-4-119 Approximate date September 14. 1962 Joseph Gaber (Gaver) Farm Street Address: Frostown and Dahlgren Roads Town, State: Middletown vicinity, MD _private _x_, public

This property is included in the survey of resources associated with the Civil War

Battle of South Mountain, which occurred on September 14, 1862. The Joseph Gaber building

complex is centered on the 2 1/2 story dwelling of log and stone construction. The house,

with its large exterior stone chimney is in remarkably intact condition. Probably built

early in the 19th century, most of the original exterior features have been retained and

maintained. In addition to the house there is a frame forebay bank barn, a frame summer

kitchen and numerous outbuildings, including a chicken house, hog barn and sheds on a farm

containing 65 acres. The Gaber Farm was used as the staging area for the Union advance on

the left wing of the Confederate defense of Turner's Gap. It was the assembly and

starting point of General 's US Army ' attack. Through Turner's Gap,

the National Pike led to the west and the Union objective was to gain access to the pass

over the mountain at this point. On this property the I Corps was gathered with two

divisions selected to advance along Dahlgren and Freetown Roads while others remained in

reserve on the Gaber Farm. The farmstead is also secondarily significant as an example of

a small vernacular farm at the base of the mountain, with a full compliment of surviving

uildings reflecting Germanic traditions. The property is shown under the name of J. Gaber on Isaac Bond's 1858 Map of Frederick County, and on us Army Engineers' maps from

the Civil War.

Photo Reference: Photo # Form Prepared By: Paula S. Reed, PhD and Edith B. Wallace Woodward-Clyde 200 Orchard Ridge Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Date: February, 1998 Maryland .Historical Trust Survey No. F-4-119 State Historic Sites Inventory Form Magi No. DOE - yes no

1. Name of Property (indicate preterred name) historic Joseph Gaber (Gaver) Farm and/or common 2. Location street & number ? Freetown Road ( Frostown and Dahlgren Roads) _ not for publication city, town Middletown ..JL vicinity of congressional district 6 state Maryland county Frederick 3. Classification

Category Ownership Status Present Use _ district) _public ..JL occupied ..JL agriculture museum ..JL building(s) ..JL private _ unoccupied commercial park structure both _ work in progress educational ..JL private residence site Public Acquisttlon Accessible entertainment __ religious _object _in process _ yes: restricted _government scientific _ being considered _ yes: unrestricted industrial _ transportation _ not applicable ..1L no _ military other:

i. Owner of Property (give names and mailing addresses of a11 owners) name Salvatore J. and Fulvia Battiata street & number SFB Management Inc., 4900 Au? telephone no.: city, town Bethesda, state and zip code MD 2 9814 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Frederick County Courthouse Uber 1168 street & number 100 w. Patrick St. Folio 866 city, town Frederick state MD

6. Representation in Existing Historical surveys title date federal state _ county local depository for survey records city, town state 7. Description Survey No. F-4-119

Condition Check one Check one excellent deteriorated unaltered ..JL original site L good ruins ..JL altered moved date of move fair unexposed

Prepare both a summary paragraph and a general description of the resource and its various elements as it exists today. contributing resource count: 8

The J. Gaber building complex is centered on the 2 1/2 story dwelling of log and stone construction. The house, with its large exterior stone chimney is in remarkably intact condition. Probably built early in the 19th century, most of the original exterior features have been retained and maintained. In addition to the house there is a frame forebay bank barn, a frame summer kitchen and numerous outbuildings, including a chicken house, hog barn and sheds on a farm containing 65 acres. The Gaber Farm was used as the staging area for the Union advance on the left wing of the Confederate defense of Turner's Gap.

The house faces south and sits on a stone foundation covered with stucco. Built into a slope, the house has a raised foundation at the front elevation. The log construction of the 1 1/2 stories above is covered with German siding. The south elevation at the lower level has 2 bays, with one board and batten door and one fixed 9 light window. The upper (main) story is 3 bays wide, with a board and batten door and two 6 over 6 sash windows with aluminum storms windows attached. The south elevation has a two story porch with a hipped roof, supported with square posts and horizontal board rails. A large stone exterior chimney is located at the east elevation. The north elevation has 2 bays at the main level and the foundation is partially below ground level. The roofs are corrugated metal.

The adjacent 1 1/2 story frame summer kitchen is also covered with German siding. It is set on a stone foundation and has a large exterior stone and brick chimney on the west elevation. The door and 6 over 6 sash window in the 2 bay south elevation are both replacements. A single 6 over 6 sash window is set in the upper 1/2 story of the east elevation. A wood lean-to shed is attached to the north elevation.

Five outbuildings are located between the house and barn. All are frame constructions with metal roofs. Used variously as sheds and animal facilities, they appear to date from the late 19th or early 20th century.

The large cantilevered forebay hay/animal barn is of timber frame construction with a limestone foundation. The east elevation has a machine shed attached. 8. Significance Survey No. F-4-119

Period Areas of Significance Check and justify below prehistoric archeology-prehistoric community planning landscape architecture __ religion 1400-1499 archeology-historic conservation law science 1500-1599 agriculture economics literature sculpture 1600-1699 ..JL architecture education ..JL military social/ 1700-1799 art engineering music humanitarian ..JL 1800-1699 commerce exploration/settlement __ philosophy theater 1900- communications industry politics/government transportation invention other( specify)

Specific dates September 14, 1862 Builder/Architect check: Applicable Criteria: ..JL A B ..JL c D and/or Applicable Exceptions: A B c D E F G

Level of Significance: ..JL national state local Prepare both a summary paragraph of significance and a general statement of history and support. The J. Gaber (Joseph Gaver) Farm which probably dates from the early to mid 19th century was the scene of the assembly and starting point of General Joseph Hooker's US Army I Corps• attack on the Confederate defense of Turner's Gap. Through this gap, the National Pike led to the west and the Union objective was to gain access to the pass over the mountain at this point. On this property the I Corps was gathered with two divisions selected to advance along Dahlgren and Frostown Roads while others remained in reserve on the Gaber Farm. The farmstead is also secondarily significant as an example of a small vernacular farm at the base of the mountain, with a full compliment of surviving buildings reflecting Germanic traditions. The property is shown under the name of J. Gaber on Isaac Bond's 1858 Map of Frederick County, and on us Army Engineers• maps from the Civil War.

The J. Gaber property derives its significance for its role in the Battle of South Mountain. The Union objective was to gain access to the passes across South Mountain so that Federals could attack the divided and vulnerable Confederate Army in the valley to the west. The Confederates held a thin line of defense under General D.H. Hill at Turner's Gap which was the main Union objective, since the National Road crossed the mountain through this gap. Expecting the pass to be strongly defended, the Federals initiated flanking movements to the north and to the south of the National Road. General Hooker was responsible for the action on the north side of the turnpike, and the men in his command made their way upward along Dahlgren Road and the ravine to its north, and along Frostown further to the north.

"For his advance, Hooker deployed the Divisions of John P. Hatch on the left and George G. Meade on the right, with James Ricketts• Division in reserve. The Yankees found the rocky, heavily timbered slopes hard going, and Robert Rodes• brigade of Alabamans, which did the lion's share of the fighting on this flank, added greatly to their difficulties. Rodes used a heavy skirmish line made up of crack shots from the 12th Alabama to delay Hatch's advance. When the Federals finally cleared away these skirmishers they came up against the main Rebel line posted solidly on high ground in front of them. The fighting was as bitter here as it had been earlier at Fox's Gap, and casualties were heavy on both sides. There was a particularly vicious series of charges and countercharges in a cornfield in which General Hatch was wounded and the opposing lines came as close as thirty feet before they broke apart. " 1 While Hatch's Division was toiling up Dahlgren Road and the south side

1stephen w. sears, "Fire on the Mountain: The Battle of south Mountain, September 14, 1862," Blue and Gray,December-January, 1986-87, p. 18. Maryland Historical Trust Survey No. f _/ 4-1 /1 State Historic Sites Inventory Form Magi No. DOE -- yes no .... ection Number 8 Page 2

of the ravine, Meade was working along a parallel route further to the north, along the north side of the same ravine and the mountain trail known today as Frostown Road. "General Meade pressed relentlessly ahead on the right, continually extending his heavier line and stretching the thinner enemy line until he finally overlapped it and the Rebels had to fall back toward Turner's Gap. n2

The deployment described in the above quotations took place from the Gaber Farm, where the I Corps formed for the assault.

The Gaber Farm is also important as an example of an early to mid 19th century modest farmstead of the type located at the fringes of the richer valley land where the less desirable mountain land began. Germanic traditions are shown in the log construction, the placement of the house into a slope so that the front foundation is raised above ground level, and the barn with its cantilevered forebay. According to deed records, the farm was purchased by Joseph Gaver from Matthew Ahalt on September 6, 1865 (JWLC 3/178). Matthew Alhalt had bought the place in 1860 from Joshua Routzahn (BGF 5/374). Probably Gaver was occupying the farm prior to his purchase since his name appears on all of the historic maps in association with this farm.

2rbid. Maryland Historical Trust Survey No. (- L/ - I / j State Historic Sites Inventory Form Magi No. DOE -- yes no deetion Number ---=8'-- Page ---=3'--

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:

NARYLARD COMPREBBRSIVE PRBSBR'VUIOR PLAlf DATA

Geographic Organization: Piedmont

Chronological/Developmental Period(s): Agricultural-Industrial Transition A.D. 1815-1870

Prehistoric/Historic Period Theme(s): Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Community Planning Military

Resource Type:

Category: buildings

Historic Environment: rural

Historic Function(s) and Use(s): Domestic/single dwelling/residence agriculture/subisitence/animal facility

Known Design Source: none 9. Major Bibliographical References Survey No. r -l{ - II 1

:artwig, D. Scott, Civil War Regiments. A Journal of the , Vol 5, #3, "Antietam, the of 1862". Article entitled "My God, Be Careful! The Morning Battle of Fox's Gap", Savas Publishing Co., Campbell, CA, 1997.

Luvaas, Jay and Harold w. Nelson eds., The U.S. Army War College Guide to the . The Maryland Campaign of 1862. Harper Collins Publishers, Washington, 1987.

Murfin, James V., The Gleam of Bayonets, The Battle of Antietam and Robert E. Lee's Maryland Campaign, September 1862, Thomas Yoseloff, New York, 1965.

Roth, Dave, "The General's Tour of South Mountain", Blue & Gray Magazine, Dec-Jan, 1986- 87. Schildt, John w., The Ninth Corps. At Antietam, Chewsville, Maryland, 1988. Sears, Stephen w., "Fire On The Mountain, The Battle of South Mountain September 14, 1862", Blue & Gray Magazine, Dec-Jan, 1986-87. Sears, Stephen w., Landscape Turned Red, The Battle of Antietam, Ticknor and Fields, New York, 1983.

Swinton, William, Army of the Potomac, Smithmark Publisher, New York, 1995.

U.S. War Department, The War of Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and confederate Armies, Series I, Vol XIX, Parts I and II, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1880-1901.

Manuscripts

Erye, Dennis, National Register Nomination Form, South Mountain Battlefields F-4-17- A,B,C, 1986.

Bond, Isaac, Map of Frederick County, 1858.

The Official Military Atlas of the Civil War, Plate 27, Gramercy Books, New York, 1983.

Engineers Maps, 1862, National Register Nomination, South Mountain Battlefields F-4-17- A,B,C, 1986.

Macombe Map, 1861. 1O. Geographical Data

Acreage of nominated property __...:6:..:5._, .... 0"""4...... ,a...,c,...r..,e=..s.,______

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Verbal boundary description and justHlcation The entire property as shown on Frederick County tax map 45, parcel 15. The historic boundaries encompass the assembly and deployment points of Hookers I Corps.

List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries

state code county code

state code county code -11. Form Prepared By

name/title Paula s. Reed, PhD and Edith B. Wallace organization Woodward-Clyde date 2/98

street & number 200 Orchard Ridge Drive telephone 301-739-2070

city or town Gaithersburg state MD 20878

The Maryland Historic Sites Inventory was officially created by an Act of the Maryland Legislature to be found in the Annotated Code of Maryland, Article 41 , Section 181 KA, 1974 supplement.

The survey and inventory are being prepared for information and record purposes only and do not constitute any infringement of individual property rights.

return to: Maryland Historical Trust People's Resource Center 100 Community Place Crownsville, MD 21032-2023 410-514-7000 i' ____, ..___ _

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