About Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The Battle of Gettysburg was the largest battle ever fought in North America
Gettysburg is a town in Pennsylvania that is steeped in the history of the Civil War. The Borough was incorporated in 1806. Gettysburg's historical significance attracts thousands of visitors each year, drawn to the battlefield, historic sites, museums, and monuments commemorating the events of the Civil War.
In 1761, one of these early settlers, Samuel Gettys, established a tavern in the area. Twenty-five years later, his son James had laid out a town of 210 lots with a central town square on the land surrounding the tavern. By 1860, the borough had an estimated 450 buildings which housed carriage manufacturing, shoemakers, and tanneries.
Gettysburg is home to the largest battle in American history, the Battle of Gettysburg. The Battle of Gettysburg was a three-day battle in the American Civil War fought between Union and Confederate forces between July 1 and July 3, 1863, in and around Gettysburg,
The battle is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War. Gettysburg ended Confederate general Robert E. Lee's ambitious second quest to invade the North and bring the Civil War to a swift end.
In 1858 the Gettysburg Railroad completed construction of a railroad line from Gettysburg to Hanover. The Gettysburg Railroad Station opened in 1859. Passenger train service to the town ended in 1942.
The station was restored in 2006. In 2011, Senator Robert Casey introduced S. 1897, which would include the railroad station within the boundary of Gettysburg National Military Park.Visitors can explore its historical significance, learn about the role of railroads during the Civil War, and see exhibits related to the battle and the station's history.
The Gettysburg National Military Park, established in 1895, has approximately 1,328 monuments, memorials, markers, and plaques. It includes the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, displaying Civil War artifacts, and Gettysburg National Cemetery, where a memorial marks the site of Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Gettysburg Address.
The historic town of Gettysburg is one of the most iconic historic destinations in America. It hosts thousands of visitors each month to the Gettysburg National Battlefield in the Gettysburg National Military Park. Just one of many historic attractions in the area.
Smithsonian named Gettysburg "America's best small town to visit". U.S. News and World Report named Gettysburg as one of the top 25 "Best small towns to visit in the USA". The town has become a hub for Civil War enthusiasts, historians, and educators seeking to learn about and understand this crucial period in American history.
Gettysburg's historic downtown area features charming streets lined with shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. Visitors can explore museums, art galleries, and historic sites, including the Gettysburg Heritage Center and the David Wills House, where President Lincoln stayed before delivering the Gettysburg Address.
Overall, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania occupies a prominent place in American history, serving as a symbol of sacrifice, courage, and reconciliation. Its legacy as the site of one of the most significant battles of the Civil War continues to resonate with people across the United States and around the world.
