In 1906 this forest was given to the state of Maryland and was the beginning of our present public lands system. Gathland State Park was once the mountain home of George Alfred Townsend, a Civil War journalist. It is the site of a unique collection of buildings and structures that he designed and constructed, some of which have been restored. A large, stone monument dedicated to war correspondents is an outstanding attraction at this day use park. This vast forest stretches across the mountains of Western Maryland and occupies portions of Town Hill, Polish Mountain and Green Ridge Mountain.
Wildlife is plentiful and includes wild turkey, grouse, squirrel and deer.
There is an accessible overlook at the forest headquarters with a trail. Greenbrier is a multi-use park providing many kinds of recreation. Right in the Potomac River in southern Frederick County, Heater's Island was settled as early as the 17th century. The Conoy Indians, a Piscataway tribe, migrated from Southern Maryland in the 1690s and established a village here. A smallpox outbreak forced the villagers to leave in 1705.