Things That Aren't There Anymore: Battlefield Gettysburg

[prroh]

Here is an article that provides information on both the PoW camp and the Home Sweet Home motel. Both were on the left flank of Pickett's Charge and gone forever.
gettysburgintern.blogspot.com/.../german-pow-recalls-gettysburg.ht...

 

[pamc153PA]

The Gettysburg Country Club/golf course. The yellow on the map is a good part of the 95 acre tract bought by the Civil War Trust and given to the NPS. It's behind Herbst/McPherson's woods, an integral part of the first day's battlefield.

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A Google maps view. Again, the yellow is the 95-acre tract.

Gettysburg Country Club Purchased by National Park Service for 1.4 Million

On March 30, 2011, in Uncategorized, by David Monsour

When the Gettysburg Country Club went out of business in 2008 the land was purchased by a Maryland developer. The National Park Service had made many attempts to acquire the 95 acre parcel over the past 20 years, but had failed until recently when it was able to purchase the 9 hole golf course portion of the former Gettysburg Country Club. The Clubhouse and pool is still owned by the developer. The old Country Club Clubhouse is going to now function as the Clubhouse for "The Preserves" a development by Summit Homes. I cannot disclose the potential future use of the other building at this time but I think the local population will be satisfied.

The land was purchased by The Conservation Fund, a Virginia based Organization for 1.4 Million dollars. Many local residents were concerned that the land would be developed by the builder, especially those that own golf course (now battlefield) front property. In a market where property values are already struggling it could have been a major hit to what is considered a prime location.

Herbst Woods, about 1900. Facing where Archer's Brigade would have clashed with the Iron Brigade on the first day's battle. Behind this is the golf course property, over which Archer's men would have come east onto the field.

 

[Nathanb1]

This thread is absolutely fascinating and totally refreshing. And for those of us not from the area, an absolute revelation!

 

[maxaman25]

Am I the only one that feels Gettysburg has been somewhat ruined by so many statues and monuments? When I go to a battlefield like Bull Run there is a lot less of this sort of thing and I think it is a better experience.

 

[pamc153PA]

Big Round Top observation tower. The tower was erected when the other observation towers on the battlefield were (Culp's Hill, Warfield Ridge, Oak Ridge) in 1895, and was dismantled in the late 1960s. In the early 1930s, when the NPS was considering places on the battlefield to put the Eternal Peace Memorial Light before the 75th anniversary, one of the places considered was Big Round Top.


View from the BRT tower.

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The tower was disassembled in the late 1960s, according to a June 19, 1968 article in the Gettysburg Times. The National Park Service announced it would remove the monument rather than replace or repair the late 19thcentury structure, deeming it uneconomical "considering its condition and very limited use" in recent years.

"The tower reached by a lengthy climb up the side of Big Round Top, was used only by the hardiest of tourists," the article read. "Most who started the climb gave out en route, and upon reaching the tower decided against continuing the climb to the top of the metal conservatory."


View of the BRT tower.

What's left of the tower now, after the rather strenuous climb to the top pf BRT.

In 1935 taken by the CCC, which constructed the trail up to the top, of the same corner.

 

[pamc153PA]

Meade Avenue on Cemetery Ridge. This is looking from Taneytown Road west toward Hancock Avenue and the Angle (over the hill). The Leister buildings are on the left; the old Cyclorama would be out of the shot on the right in modern photos. The avenue was finish in 1897.

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Looking the other way, from Cemetery Hill toward Taneytown Road.​

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A modern view, looking from the Lydia Leister buildings toward Hancock Avene. There is a path now where the avenue used to be.​

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This is a post card that includes Meade Avenue (in the foreground). This is facing south, with the PA Monument in the back left.​

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[rob63]

Great thread, neat to see so many old photos and I certainly had no idea about the road next to the Leister house.

pamc153PA: Is there any possibility that you could post a larger image of that postcard? It is quite fascinating.

 

[kealbo54]

It may seem odd to some,but the coming and going of all these old touristy icons is part of the lore of Gettysburg,to me.I remember as a kid,growing up in far away central Florida,poring over an old National Geographic about Gettysburg and Vicksburg,published at their centennials.I looked at that mag til it was rags and tatters,dreaming of going to Gettysburg.I made my first pilgimage 13 years later in 1976.We stayed overnight in Chambersburg,cause I wanted to come to the battlefield like Lee did.Hey,I was 22,hehe.But that afforded me a beer in the Cashtown Inn,mostly before anyone knew it was there(before "the" movie).Anyway these photos and bygone postcards are as fascinating as old pics of the battlefield in july,'63.Thanx.Hopefully,I will go again next year for one of the reenactments.Maybe both,if I can sawing it.I just GOTTA sit on the Waud rock once!I have noticed that most battlefields now are dotted with lotsa "then" picyure plaquards,which werent there in some of my previous visits,and have to say,they are a wonderful addition.Much better than Stucky's.Thanks again for a great post.

 

[napoleon 12 pounder]

I just want to say I love this thread too! Thanks for starting it! Good to see a thread that wont get a little gold lock next to it!

 

[pamc153PA]

The "loop" road, or Webb Avenue, at the Angle, 1896. Imagine, you wouldn't have to get out of your car on the battlefield at all, not even for the finale--at least until 1904, when it was removed.

Same spot, in 2004.

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[Free Agent]

Is that wishful thinking, Free Agent?

Our understanding the contractor selected, demo permits are pulled.
Wheels must turn slowly with the Govt involved.

 

[reading48]

Great Pics pamc153Pa...been going to the Burg since 94 and all the changes that have taken place is great...

 

[rob63]

I can't help but think that somewhere out there, there is somebody who snuck onto the grounds with a metal detector and dug up the items he found. He now proudly displays his "Gettysburg collection" which is actually a bunch of stuff dropped by various workmen that built roads, railways, dance halls, etc.

 

[pamc153PA]

The Peace Light Inn.

For those of you who know the battlefield, the Eternal Peace Memorial Light is behind you (the steps/railing in the forground).

Another view, 1941.

The Peace Light Inn started out as a restaurant and soda shop. Cabins were added in the 1940s (to the left of the larger building). A cocktail lounge was added in 1963 for the centennial visitors.

The same area of Oak Ridge, modern view.

Old postcards.

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If you look to the upper right of this pic of Kennedy and his entourage in 1963, you'll see the Peace Light Inn's cabins.

In 1976, the NPS bought the property for the owners, the Warner family, with a 5-year lease to continue to operate the restaurant. In 1979, the building burned down in what was called an "inferno" by local newspapers.

 

[samuel orris]

All of these posts and nobody has yet to mention Fantasyland. I remember my dad driving us there several times and we'd pack a picnic lunch to eat in the grove. I found an article that describes it better.



Remembering Gettysburg's Fantasyland

Mike Caverly

Fantasyland opened in 1959, and was owned and operated by Kenneth and Thelma Dick on 23 wooded acres (later expanded to 35) on the east side of the Taneytown Road south of General Meade's Headquarters and the present National Park Service Visitors Center. Noted for its beauty, tranquility and cleanliness, the storybook land provided over 100 things for the young and young at heart to see and do. Attractions included an Enchanted Forest and Santa's Village; Fort Apache, which was attacked by live Indians; Rapunsel's Castle, and a dairy barn where you could slide into a haymow. All who entered the park were greeted by a talking twenty-three foot Mother Goose.

Live shows were featured daily. Besides the Cowboy and Indian Show, there was a Vaudeville Show, a Live Animal Show and a Puppet Show. Motor boats and pedal boats were rides offered on the three lakes in the park. The Cannonball Express Train, the Carousel, the Fire Engine, the Sky Ride and the Scenic Pink Tour Train were a few of the other rides available. Delicious food could be bought at eateries such as the Sugar Plum Snack Bar or the Gingerbread House.

The thousands of people who visited this nature lover's paradise every week enjoyed the sculptured landscaping, with thousands of tulips and wild flowers in the spring, colorful flowers in summer and brilliant leaves in fall. Picnic areas were available free and you could have a picture taken with live characters such as Little Red Riding Hood, Santa Claus, and the Fairy Princess.

Over its years of operation, Fantasyland attracted well over one million visitors including Broadway celebrities, members of congress and foreign dignitaries. Some of President Eisenhower's grandchildren worked at the park. President Kennedy's children were frequent visitors.

The Fantasyland property was purchased by the U.S. Government in 1974 under terms that allowed the Dicks to continue to operate the park for an additional ten years. Fantasyland finally closed in October 1980. At the time of this printing, people still ask about the park, saying they have such fond memories of visiting when they were children and wishing to bring their children and grandchildren to the magical wonderland of "Make Believe".

Epilog: Fantasyland is a shadow of its former self. After its purchase by the National Park Service (NPS) and Fantasyland closed in 1980, an entrepreneur bought the attractions and moved them to his own children's amusement park in Indiana. All that remains of the Fantasyland of old is the parking lot, used by the NPS for over-flow parking in the summer time, and the large billboard-like main entrance structure. Briefly considered as the site for a new NPS Visitor Center, current plans for the center call for its construction on land adjacent to the east side of the Fantasyland parcel and the restoration of the Fantasyland site to a more natural setting.

 

[101combatvet]

I don't have a picture of it but the Eagle Hotel. It was where John Buford spent the night of June 30th. Now there's a convenience store in that lot.

R

"Isn't 7-11 great!"

 

[JerseyBart]

"Isn't 7-11 great!"

I get a kick out of the KFC located to the left side of Pickett's Charge. In my Battle of Gettysburg slideshow to my students last year, I concluded with the question, "What do you do if you are the Army of Northern Virginia and you've just been repulsed on Cemetery Ridge?"

...next slide is a picture of the KFC...

"Grab a bucket of the Colonel's original extra tasty crispy formula and head south."

 

[pamc153PA]

The Eagle Hotel at Chambersburg and Washington Streets.​

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Frank Eberhartt, who owned the Eagle Hotel, anticipated the coming of the automobile, and turned a theater on the adjacent (SW) corner of Chambersburg and Washington into Eberhard's garage. (Note the pumps along the sidewalk). To take this photo, the Eagle Hotel would be at the photographer's back.​

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The building still stands today, unlike the Eagle Hotel--which as someone mentioned, is a 7-11 now.​

Eberhard's Garage is now a coffee shop/bakery.​

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[pamc153PA]

Correction: that should be "Eberhart" with one "t," and no "d." Edit wouldn't let me change it.

 

[101combatvet]

I get a kick out of the KFC located to the left side of Pickett's Charge. In my Battle of Gettysburg slideshow to my students last year, I concluded with the question, "What do you do if you are the Army of Northern Virginia and you've just been repulsed on Cemetery Ridge?"

...next slide is a picture of the KFC...

"Grab a bucket of the Colonel's original extra tasty crispy formula and head south."

I have eaten there more then once.