Things That Aren't There Anymore: Battlefield Gettysburg

[101combatvet]

One of the better days at Gettysburg.

 

[JerseyBart]

I have eaten there more then once.

That and the Quality Inn are two odd visuals when considering their proximity to the battlefield, as is the hotel we stay in, the 1863 Inn. It is so close that it practically kisses the monuments to Howard and Hancock on East Cemetery Hill and leads to many poor taste jokes by me about how if Jenny Wade stayed there, she may have survived the battle.

 

[JerseyBart]

The Peace Light Inn.

​

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.

My favorite presidential picture at Gettysburg is of George H.W. Bush jogging along Cemetery Ridge with his Secret Service.

 

[samuel orris]

Great video of the tower coming down. A friend of mine bought a copy of The Gettysburg Times dated July 4, 2000 with the bold headline, "DOWN IT GOES." I had it framed and it's now hanging in our spare bedroom.

 

[Mason and Dixon]

I just got the most recent issue of 'Hallowed Ground' (the Civil War Trust's mag).. The whole issue is devoted to Gettysburg (as of 2013). They got a lot of cool pictures documenting the battlefield's monuments & attractions evolution, and how they've recently returned it to a more pristine state.
The mag reminded me of the old 'Home Sweet Home' motel, which was "the last commercial property inside park boundaries".. I remember @ it as a kid, & I guess it was demolished about 10 years ago (?)

I actually miss the old observation tower.. I understand it was an eyesore. But it was such a valuable tourist attraction, I kinda think it's net effect was positive for understanding & drawing ppl to studying Gettysburg.. but, what can ya do..

 

[godofredus]

Couldn't agree more about the tower (with Mason and Dixon). OK, from one point of view it was horrible, but from the top you might begin to understand the battle. At least when I was there in the 1980's.

 

[Michigan Black Hat]

Now that it is gone it is easy for me to look back at the nostalgia of the tower. It will always be a fond memory of having my grandfather explain to me the battle from up there when I was like 10 years old. But that thing was ugly as sin.

 

[mt155]

It's still there but I have never seen this pic before. Things have really changed.

 

[pamc153PA]

And this is the Meade School now--it's a luxury "boutique" type inn:

 

[James N.]

The Peace Light Inn... 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.

I well remember the Peace Light Inn - I stayed there twice, once with my Mother in 1961 on our way to Manassas for the Centennial reenactment; and again in 1964 with my best friend from High School when we spent 3 weeks before beginning our freshman year in college on a tour of all the Civil War battlefields from Texas to Pennsylvania. It was exciting to think you could just walk out of your little "cottage" onto the battlefield!

 

[Thepatriot223]

These pictures are amazing. I never knew this stuff existed. I've only been going to Gettysburg since 2004.

 

[Mosin]

McAllister's Mill... I finally had a chance to see this treasure on my most recent visit. Such a fascinating place . Besides being used as a field hospital during and after the battle it was also a stop along the Underground Railroad and served as a meeting place for the Adams County Anti Slavery Society. Well over 200 years old, the foundation can still be made out and the raceway from the old mill pond to the wheel is still clearly visible.

 

[randy596]

From left; Kent M M, Will Rutler, Margaret M M, Laura M M, Roy M M, Annie M M and Oscar David McMillan on horse. House is on West Confederate Ave. David McMillan built house in 1840. The photo in the attachment was taken c 1895.

What the house looks like today.
http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/Places/McMillan.php

 

[bankerpapaw]

p.s. You might want to lay some ground rules, though. Like, ' No posting ' The Confederate Army ' under the heading of ' Things which are not in Gettysburg any longer ' .

Ouch!!

 

[pamc153PA]

One of my favorite parts of the battlefield, (what remains of the) electric trolley line to Devil's Den area. The trolley was incorporated in 1891, and the line was finished being built in 1894. It required the first electric powerhouse be built in Gettysburg for the undertaking. The electric generated powered the trolley, and also was used to light the street lamps.

LRT in the background, DD in foreground.

Crossing Hancock Avenue (note the BRT observation tower from earlier post in middle of photo)

One of the trolleys.

The route.

The trolley bed now. This is a section through the Rose Woods, one of my favorite parts of what's left of the rail bed.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

That's amazing, another instance of having no clue the battlefield was so wierdly put together in those days. I can't imagine a trolley ride through here, although guess one of those buses wouldn't be a lot different. Thanks for those pics.

Gee whiz Bankerpaw, did not remember saying that, ouch indeed. Oops. I really need to stop posting while sitting here waiting for the morning meds to work. Here's some comfort- there's a darn sign on Steinwehr, sticking out onto the sidewalk which I'm convinced Lee left there before the retreat as some form of hideous sabatage. Deep in conversation, this sign claimed one, more Yankee victim. I walked smack into the thing BAM, then had to pretend I meant to do that, in case anyone was watching. That was an ouch.

Thanks, Pam- another thing to look for there. We STILL haven't made it there- missed the booksigning too, due to terribly miscalculating travel time to somewhere else. I was told it was a wonderful crowd despite the hot day, must have been awfully nice.

 

[reading48]

William Wible entertained people along the trolley line on the Rose farm at Wible Woods with music dancing and refreshments.....William Tipton welcomed people opposite Devils Den.. Tipton Park...
The largest Park was Round Top Park on the Eastern side of L.R.T. The Park grew to such an extent that a small town known as Sedgwick sprung up around it. The park included a series of amusements dining rooms, dance hall, saloon, relic pavilion, merry go round, roller rink and casino


From Civil War Trust

 

[reading48]

I also understand there was a swimming pool near the angle???????

 

[Mosin]

I also understand there was a swimming pool near the angle???????

Yes, there was. A little Southwest from the Copse. Officers pool for the WW1 trainig camp (Camp Colt).
Ike swam there!