Burkittsville in Frederick County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Gath's Empty Tomb

Photographed by Don Morfe, January 7, 2012

1. Gath's Empty Tomb Marker

Inscription. During the 19th century few people bought burial lots in public cemeteries as we do today. Instead, a small parcel of their own land was usually set aside as a private cemetery. If enough money was available, a mausoleum (tomb) was often built for certain family members.

Gath, concerned with his own burial, built this lonely tomb about 20 years before his death, which came on April 15, 1914, in New York City. By this time his great wealth had dwindled and the near penniless. Gath was buried in a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania cemetery instead of his own tomb as he had desired.

Gath’s empty tomb mutely symbolizes the uncertainties of Life, Fame and Fortune and the certainty of death.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1792.

Location. 39° 24.294′ N, 77° 38.346′ W. Marker is in Burkittsville, Maryland, in Frederick County. It is at the intersection of Gapland Road and Arnoldstown Road on Gapland Road. The empty tomb is on the grounds of Gathland State Park near the Appalachian Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office

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area: Burkittsville MD 21718, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mausoleum (here, next to this marker); Troup Light Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Padgett’s Field: Confederate Last Stand (within shouting distance of this marker); Burial: A Most Disagreeable Task (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stage is Set (within shouting distance of this marker); Bartlett Leads the Way (within shouting distance of this marker); Medal of Honor Recipients (within shouting distance of this marker); GATH: The Man and His Mountain (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burkittsville.

Photographed by Don Morfe, January 7, 2012

2. Gath's Empty Tomb Marker

Photographed by Don Morfe, January 7, 2012

3. Gath's Empty Tomb Marker

Photographed by Don Morfe, January 7, 2012

4. Gath's Empty Tomb Marker

Photographed by Don Morfe, January 7, 2012

5. Gath's Empty Tomb Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,852 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 6, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.