Bohrer Park

Did the name Summit Hall Farm ever cross your mind as you entered Bohrer Park? This sprawling park, a hub for water slides and miniature golf, holds a history far richer than its modern attractions suggest. Bohrer Park wasn’t always the lively recreation spot we see today. It started life as a 251-acre ridge-top farm, officially patented in 1857 by siblings John T. and Sarah DeSellum. The DeSellums, interestingly, were slaveholders yet staunch Unionists, a position reflecting Maryland’s divided loyalties during the Civil War. This stance led to a tense dinner table confrontation between John and a Confederate officer under General Jubal Early, who had made Summit Hall Farm his headquarters in 1864. The officer, mistakenly identified by DeSellum, questioned his loyalty to the Confederacy, sparking a heated debate. The incident underscores the complex dynamics of the time and the personal conflicts that played out even within the confines of a family farm. Summit Hall Farm wasn’t untouched by the war’s physical impact either. Confederate troops seized livestock, crops, and even fences from the property. As compensation for DeSellum’s complaints, they left behind two barrels of corn. Sarah DeSellum, resourceful and quick-witted, managed to protect $3,000 by hiding it under her skirts. Bohrer Park’s history predates the Civil War, its roots stretching back to the 1700s as part of a tobacco plantation and later a small community known as Logtown. The property’s elevated position, offering panoramic views, likely inspired the name “Summit Hall.” The farm passed through various hands, including Baltus Fulks, a shoemaker, and later the DeSellums. The DeSellums embraced agricultural innovation and community leadership, their legacy etched into the land. The park’s oldest structure, a log smokehouse, stands as a testament to Gaithersburg’s earliest days. The farmhouse, potentially dating back to 1812, has seen its own transformations. Originally a Federal-style house, it later underwent Victorian renovations and eventually a restoration to its original appearance. Bohrer Park continued to evolve, transitioning from a turf farm in the mid-20th century to finally becoming a city park in 1982. In 1998, it was renamed Bohrer Park to honor former Gaithersburg Mayor W. Ed Bohrer. So, as you enjoy the modern amenities of Bohrer Park, remember the echoes of history beneath your feet. From wartime headquarters to agricultural innovation, Bohrer Park holds the stories of generations past, woven into the fabric of the land.