Battle Era Codori Barn

[Gettysburg Greg]

Among all the famous battlefield landmarks, I would guess the majestic, bright red, three spired Codori Barn is one most of us are very familiar with. Isn't it somewhat ironic that the barn we see today in no way resembles the barn that witnessed the battle? The battle era barn was razed in 1882 and replaced with the structure we see today. Below are a couple of images that include the barn as seen by the soldiers in 1863. The top image is a crop from Tipton's 1882 photograph taken the same year the barn came down and on the bottom is a highly magnified crop from Brady's magnificient panorama taken from LRT. Also, notice that in Tipton's photograph, the Codori house has an addition added (1876, I believe) that was not there in Brady's 1863 image.

 

[eBrowne]

I assume that the blue arrow in the bottom picture is to point out the Codori barn. If so then where is the Codori house? There is a similar structure in the lower picture to the right but which seems too far removed from the barn.

 

[Gettysburg Greg]

I assume that the blue arrow in the bottom picture is to point out the Codori barn. If so then where is the Codori house? There is a similar structure in the lower picture to the right but which seems too far removed from the barn.

The Codori house is seen on the right side of the frame before the addition. Notice the two chimneys in both photos. The view is NW in the lower photo and SW in Tipton's.

 

[EJ Zander]

It appears to me that the barn also had a lean to addition put on the back with the square access door during the time between the two pictures were taken. Others with better knowledge may know the barns history but it looks like that the farm operation needed increased hay/ forage storage capacity. The new barn is obviously bigger but also has much better ventilation and stall space. Trostle barn has a similar lean to addition on the side.

 

[EJ Zander]

So here's a question to ponder. Since the present barn is a post battle structure should it be replaced with a barn of the same design and lay out as the one during the battle?

 

[ntsb]

Interesting images. The barn is so iconic, I think it seems to fit right in with the battlefield landscape, even though not a true witness to the battle.

If you pardon my digression, can someone please provide a phonetic spelling of Codori. I always seem to stumble over this in my mind whenever reading about the Codori farm. I have managed to train my brain in pronouncing "Heth" and "Taneytown", but not yet Codori!

 

[EJ Zander]

If I do this right.......... Ka Door E
My wife works with several family members

 

[codori]

If I do this right.......... Ka Door E
My wife works with several family members

Hi Zander Your are close on the Codori name but it is closer to "Co Door E" ....that's Co with a long O.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

So here's a question to ponder. Since the present barn is a post battle structure should it be replaced with a barn of the same design and lay out as the one during the battle?

Whoa, huh? Never thought of that! I don't know though. Tempted to think the most historical structures should stay put, or does that not make sense? It's a Codori family barn, you know? Without it there's nothing genuine tying the battlefield to them ( is there? ) - one of the most iconic names those 3 days.

 

[civilken]

It looks like my house. Nice picture

 

[Yankeedave]

So here's a question to ponder. Since the present barn is a post battle structure should it be replaced with a barn of the same design and lay out as the one during the battle?

I asked the same question of the Wert House, located in the Roses' peach orchard, or of the Timber's (a free black family) home, also located on the Rose Farm. Still waiting.

 

[Tom Elmore]

A well was located behind (east) of the Codori house. E. Corbin from Battery B, 1st New York filled canteens from it on July 3. Corbin described it as an open well, with windlass and rope.

The previous day, July 2, a soldier named Peter Shevlin was at this well in the early evening, filling a dozen or so canteens belonging to comrades from his battery, B, 1st Rhode Island. Peter said the bucket to the well was so big that it took him a long time to fill them. In the meantime, Wright's Georgians advanced and took him prisoner. Four or five Confederates in succession confronted Peter and ordered him to the rear. He hid behind a rock with his canteens until the Confederates fell back, then emerged unscathed and returned to his battery, bringing much needed water to his incredulous comrades, who had given him up as a prisoner.

 

[E_just_E]

Today's Codori farm is a pretty bothersome structure. Sure it is an iconic Pennsylvania Dutch Gambrel style barn, but it is problematic:

It is taller and bigger that the original structure so it gives a false perspective of what the two lines of fire could see during days 2 and 3 of the battle and how much protection combatants would expect to receive from it. Also, unlike the original barn, the tops of the steeples can be seen from parts of the ANV Day 3 battle line. So, it really skews someone's battlefield perspective, and if there is no other reason, this one is about as good as removing the motel from the ANV headquarters site...

A lesser reason to remove it, is that the bottom floor (which is pretty much open on the back -East- side) is the home of a good couple dozen of barn swallows that can be really vile and vicious to unaware battlefield visitors during certain times of the year.

I think that the battlefield should be pretty much returned to as close to June 29th (lets say, because there is always a group of people who want it in July 4th condition, fences down and all) shape as possible. Got to have the perspective.

BTW, across the street there was a Codori smokehouse that was never replaced.