Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg is a borough 184 miles (296 km) east by southeast of Pittsburgh located in Adams County, Pennsylvania, USA, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2000 census, the borough had a total population of 7,490.

History

The Borough of Gettysburg was founded in 1786 by James Gettys, whose father Samuel built a tavern there in 1761. It is the county seat of Adams County, which was formed in 1800 from the western section of York County. Gettysburg was incorporated as a borough in 1806. It sits in the shadow of South Mountain, eight miles west of the town, and is framed by Marsh Creek to the west/southwest and Rock Creek to the east/southeast. In 1830, Gettysburg had a population of 1,473. By 1840 it had grown to 1,908; by 1863, 2,400; in 1900, 3,495; 1910, 4,030; 1940, 5,916. Many rich farms surrounded the town, and various industries thrived. An early history of Adams County stated: "The inhabitants are industrious and enterprising, many of whom are devoted to mechanical pursuits, and particularly to the manufacture of carriages of every description, a branch of business which has been commenced here since 1817."

Related Topics:
1786 - 1761 - County seat - Adams County - 1800 - York County - 1806 - 1830 - 1840 - 1863 - 1900 - 1910 - 1940

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the American Civil War (1861–65), Company K, 1st Pennsylvania Reserves, was made up of men from Gettysburg. These men would be present in the Army of the Potomac during the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1–3, 1863. As nearly 160,000 soldiers descended on the small village, the battle raged all around and through the town. On July 1 the Theological Seminary was the scene of much heavy fighting, and the Seminary buildings—as well as those of Pennsylvania College and most other public and many private buildings—were used as hospitals. President Abraham Lincoln visited the town in November 1863 to attend the dedication ceremony of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, where he gave his Gettysburg Address.

Related Topics:
American Civil War - 1861 - 65 - Army of the Potomac - Battle of Gettysburg - July 1 - 3 - 1863 - Abraham Lincoln - Gettysburg Address

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the summer of 1913, the 50th anniversary of the battle, veterans held a massive reunion of the Blue and Gray in Gettysburg.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the First World War (1914–1918), Gettysburg was the site of Camp Colt, a tank-training camp. The camp's commander was a young captain, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower was taken by the bucolic beauty; when he retired from the presidency, he purchased and retired to the John Biesecker farm, just west of the Confederate positions on Seminary Ridge.

Related Topics:
First World War - 1914 - 1918 - Dwight D. Eisenhower - Confederate - Seminary Ridge

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The year 1938 saw the final reunion of the Blue and Gray to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Today, Gettysburg is still a thriving farm community, and Gettysburg College is one of the nation's excellent private educational institutions. Numerous orchards surround the town, which holds an annual Apple Blossom Festival each fall. Gettysburg's prime industry is tourism, as nearly two million visitors arrive each year to visit Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site, both maintained and operated by the National Park Service.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~