Rockville in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Rocky Glen Farm / Dawson Farmhouse: Built 1874
Dawson Farm Park – Rockville’s History in Your Backyard
Lawrence A. Dawson (1807-1875), was born in nearby Dawsonville, Maryland. He came to Rockville to study law and served in the Maryland House of Delegates. In 1840, he purchased this land from Benjamin Forrest, who later became his law partner. In 1844, he married Mary Elizabeth Kiger and they soon enlarged the original circa 1815 log house at this site to accommodate their growing family purchasing additional acreage in 1856. All seven Dawson children were born and raised here.
This vernacular farmhouse was built in 1874 and was attached to the original enlarged log structure behind it, which was demolished in the 1930s. It reflects the influence of the Gothic Revival style, with its deeply pitched roof with center gable and pointed Gothic window.
During the Civil War, Lawrence and his family supported the Union. Their farm bordered the pike, which was frequently used by troops and adjoined the fairgrounds, which were used as a campsite by both armies. The Dawsons hid Union soldiers in their woods, nursed those who were injured or ill, and fed soldiers of both armies who appeared at their door. Lawrence Dawson served as commissioner of the draft for the Union Army. He and other local Northern sympathizers were captured in 1863 by Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, but was freed the next day as Stuart hurried to Gettysburg. The children were frightened for their father's safety when Gen. Jubal Early's Confederate troops camped at the fairgrounds during their 1864 raid on Washington and some officers came to the farmhouse. However, they left without incident after being given dinner. Following the war, Dawson resumed his law practice and continued to farm the land for the rest of his life. He died in 1875, his wife two years later. The City of Rockville acquired the vacant house and part of the farm property in 1980 and sold the house to Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd. in 1983. Peerless found new owners, who renovated the house and retained it as a private residence.
Erected by City of Rockville, Department of Recreation and Parks.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • War, US Civil.
Location. 39° 4.465′ N, 77° 8.593′ W. Marker is in Rockville, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from Ritchie Parkway. This marker is in Dawson Farm Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 312 Ritchie Pkwy, Rockville MD 20852, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dawson Farm - 1840-1979 (within shouting distance of this marker); Rocky Glen Farm / Dawson Farm: 1840-1980 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rocky Glen Farm / Dawson Farmhouse: Built 1912 (about 400 feet away); John C. Brown Memorial Bridge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Saint Mary's Church (approx. half a mile away); Saint Mary's Catholic Church (approx. half a mile away); Rockville Station (approx. 0.6 miles away); Montgomery County Jail (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockville.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 498 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on July 6, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 19, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.