Gettysburg was a county seat and quiet market town until July 1, 1863 when it became “The Most Famous Small Town in America.” Over three days, George Meade’s 92,000 federal forces repelled General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate invaders and ended the South’s only incursion into the North during the Civil War, preserving the Union. More men fought and more men died at Gettysburg than in any battle before or since on American soil.
Planning a visit? Stay at the following:
• Artillery Ridge Camping Resort
The National Park Service has worked to maintain the grounds much as they were 150-plus years ago, complete with rolling fields, stone fences and farm buildings. With more than 1,320 monuments, the Gettysburg National Military Park is also one of the world’s largest outdoor art museums. Many of the buildings in town look much the same as well—as the bullet holes in the bricks testify.
After leaving office in 1961, President Dwight Eisenhower bought the first house he ever owned on a farm outside of Gettysburg. Today, the Eisenhower Historic Site provides yet another local tie to America’s military heritage. Tours include the house with all original furnishings, the barns for Eisenhower’s black Angus cattle, a private golf green and a skeet shooting range.
If you’ve had your fill of history, the town of Gettysburg offers lovely restaurants and fun-filled events that showcase the other side of a town that’s synonymous with the Civil War.
