The Lawn

Mar 10, 2006

The Lawn was built in 1835 by the Honorable George Washington Dobbin, Chief Judge of the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City, as a summer retreat for him, his wife, Rebecca Pue, and their six children. Judge Dobbin, Director of the B&O Railroad Company, recognized the beauty of Elkridge Landing and its convenience to traverse by rail or horse-drawn carriage to and from the city, decided to purchase nine acres on a hill there for his summer home. Several other lawyer friends from the city purchased land in the same area. Thus, it became known as Lawyers’ Hill by local residents. It is located at 6036 Old Lawyers Hill Road, Elkridge, Maryland.

Originally, The Lawn started out as a simple structure. However, Judge Dobbin kept adding various additions. Some additions included an astrological observatory, a porch where the Judge could dry his photo prints and large rooms that were opened to friends and relatives for weekly socials.

Due to health reasons, Judge Dobbin made The Lawn his permanent residence in 1843. He continued to add on to the house during this time. A dining room, kitchen, and several outbuildings including a greenhouse were added. The house was described as a "fantastic mass of wooden buildings connected to one another, reflecting the needs of the family for which it was built."

Judge Dobbin was an accomplished photographer as well as having creative talents in many fields. He was a member several important Institutes and was one of the original Trustees of Johns Hopkins University who served on a committee to erect what we now know as Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The Show House ran from September 16 to October 15, 2006. Approximately 4,500 guests visited the house. The Chairperson was Wanda Mathews. The Lawn is listed as a Maryland Historical Trust Property. Information from the Howard County Historical Society; Cleora Barnes Thompson.