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Photo credit:
Don Cook
,
2002
Union Mills Homestead Historic District
Inventory No.:
CARR-22
Date Listed:
1/25/1971
Location:
Littlestown Pike (MD 97), Westminster, Carroll County
Category:
District
Period/Date of Construction:
1797
Description:
The Union Mills Homestead Historic District is comprised of a dwelling house, a grist mill, and a Bollman-design bridge. The Shriver Homestead was built in 1797 by Andrew and David Shriver and has been continually occupied by the family. The double house is seven bays wide with a two-story porch projecting from the three central bays. The two sections of the house share a stairhall. The 4/4 windows flanking the door in the center bay are smaller than the 6/6 windows in the outer bays. The house retains much original clapboard, and first-floor paneled shutters. Wings were added to each side of the dwelling, generally a continuation of the original structure, having little or no ornamentation. Dormers were placed in the roof of the west wing. Across the south facade is a porch of a later date, although imitative of the Chinese detailing of the front porch. The mill (also built 1797) is a large brick structure, built of locally manufactured brick laid in both Flemish bond and four-course common bond. It is five bays wide and five bays deep with a central door on the south and west facades. It stands two stories over a full basement (on the north and west facades) and has two attics. A large section of the north gable collapsed and has been rebuilt of concrete block and clapboard. Most of the original window framing is intact as is the 6/6 sash and the paneled double doors. The queen post iron truss bridge has a fieldstone base and planked deck. The original road to and from this one-lane bridge has been closed but is still passable on foot. The bridge, in disrepair due to neglect, spans a narrow portion of Big Pipe Creek. At each side of the bridge is a disc reading: "1879 W. Bollman Baltimore".
Significance:
The historic district is representative of early-industrial development, with fine examples of both domestic and industrial architecture. Located on an important 19th century route between Baltimore and Pennsylvania, which later became the first rural free delivery (RFD) route. The most important historical episode associated with Union Mills occurred in June 1863. Like the population of Maryland as a whole, the Shriver family was divided by the Civil War. On June 30, 1863, General J.E.B. Stuart of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia camped at Union Mills and was hosted by part of the Shriver family. On the following day, General James Barnes of the 5th Corps of the Army of the Potomtac arrived on the site and welcomed and entertained by other members of the family.
District Resources
Resources not specifically itemized in a list within NR nomination form.
