Gettysburg, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gettysburg
Borough
Gettysburg National Military Park in April 2019
Flag Seal
Location in Adams County and the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Gettysburg Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Gettysburg Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Adams
Settled	1780
Incorporated	1806
Founded by	James Gettys
Named for	Samuel Gettys
Government
• Type	Borough Council
Area
• Total	1.66 sq mi (4.31 km2)
• Land	1.66 sq mi (4.30 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	560 ft (170 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	7,106
• Density	4,280.72/sq mi (1,653.03/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	17325
Area code(s)	717
FIPS code	42-28960
Website	[1]

Gettysburg is a small town, called a borough, in Pennsylvania, United States. It is the main town of Adams County, Pennsylvania. In 2020, about 7,106 people lived here.

Gettysburg is famous for being the place of the Battle of Gettysburg. This was the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863. Later that year, on November 19, President Abraham Lincoln visited Gettysburg. He gave a very famous speech called the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Today, the Gettysburg National Military Park protects the battlefields.

The Story of Gettysburg

On November 19, 1863, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (center, facing camera) delivered the Gettysburg Address, one of the most famous speeches in American history.

Downtown Gettysburg in 1930

Gettysburg in 1935

How Gettysburg Began

The Adams County Courthouse

In 1760, an Irishman named Samuel Gettys settled in this area. It was a busy crossroads for travelers and traders. He opened a tavern, a type of inn, that was popular with soldiers.

Later, in 1786, Samuel's son, James, bought 116 acres of land. He divided it into 220 lots and sold them. This is why James is known as the founder of Gettysburgh. The town's first boundaries were set, including the historic Dobbin House tavern.

In 1800, Adams County was created by the Pennsylvania government. Gettysburg was chosen as its main town, or county seat.

By 1858, the Gettysburg Railroad was built, connecting Gettysburg to Hanover. The train station opened in 1859. Passenger trains stopped running in 1942, but the station was restored in 2006. By 1860, Gettysburg had grown to about 450 buildings. It was known for making carriages, shoes, and leather goods.

The Civil War Battle

A bust of Lincoln at Gettysburg.

From July 1 to 3, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg took place. This was one of the most important and deadliest battles of the American Civil War. It was fought in the fields and hills around the town.

The Confederate Army, led by Robert E Lee, had some early success. But they were eventually defeated by the Union Army, led by George G. Meade. Lee's army managed to retreat safely. President Abraham Lincoln was not happy that Meade didn't try harder to stop Lee's army.

Many soldiers were lost on both sides. Over 27,000 Confederate soldiers and 23,000 Union soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured. The people of Gettysburg had to care for the wounded and bury the dead. About 8,000 men and 3,000 horses died in the battle.

The Union soldiers were later buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. On November 19, 1863, President Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address at the cemetery's dedication.

Only one civilian, a 20-year-old woman named Jennie Wade, was killed during the battle. She was hit by a stray bullet while baking bread. Some houses in town still show damage from the battle.

Furniture Making in Gettysburg

For the first half of the 1900s, making furniture was a big industry in Gettysburg. The "Gettysburg Manufacturing Company" started in 1902. Other companies soon followed. The industry was most successful in the 1920s.

However, this important industry started to decline in 1951. The main furniture companies either moved, closed, or were sold. The Gettysburg Furniture Company factory closed in 1960. It then became a place to store and ship furniture from other factories.

Tourism in Gettysburg

Gettysburg has a long history of tourism. In the late 1800s, factories here made things for the Gettysburg Battlefield, like gun carriages. Hotels and stables were built for visitors. Early tourist attractions included museums and souvenir shops. There were also electric trolleys and horse-drawn taxis to take visitors on tours.

Today, tourists can enjoy ghost tours, stay in bed and breakfasts, and watch historical reenactments. The Gettysburg National Military Park is a major attraction. It includes the Soldiers' National Cemetery, which is inside the borough limits. The Eisenhower National Historic Site, which was the home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, is also nearby.

Where is Gettysburg?

Gettysburg is located near where U.S. routes 15 and 30 meet. It's about 25 miles west of York and 35 miles north of Frederick, Maryland. Rock Creek flows along its eastern side. The borough covers about 1.66 square miles of land.

Gettysburg's Weather

Gettysburg has a climate with hot, humid summers and cool winters. January is usually the coldest month, with an average temperature of about 30°F. Winters often have snow. July is the warmest month, with an average temperature of about 74°F. June is the wettest month.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Gettysburg was 104°F in July 1988. The coldest was -25°F in January 1994.

People of Gettysburg

In 2010, Gettysburg had a population of 7,620 people. Most residents were non-Hispanic white (79.6%). About 10.9% were Hispanic or Latino, and 5.4% were African American.

What Does Gettysburg Do?

The main activity in Gettysburg is tourism. People visit historic places like the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Eisenhower National Historic Site. Gettysburg offers many tours and activities for visitors interested in its history. Tourists also come for the yearly reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg. They can stay at places like the Dobbin House Tavern and Hotel Gettysburg.

Battle of Gettysburg Reenactment

Every year from July 1 to 3, volunteers act out the Battle of Gettysburg. These "reenactors" show different parts of the battle each day. Guides explain what happened during the battles and the difficulties soldiers faced.

Getting Around Gettysburg

Gettysburg is a central point for many roads. You can easily drive to big cities like Washington, D.C. (75 miles away) and Baltimore (55 miles away). U.S. Route 30, also known as the Lincoln Highway, runs through the town. It was the first road to go all the way across the U.S.

The Gettysburg Regional Airport is a small airport for private planes. It is located just west of Gettysburg.

The York Adams Transportation Authority (YATA) runs public buses in Adams County. This system is called Freedom Transit. A new bus hub, the Gettysburg Transit Center, is being built. There is also a bus that goes to Harrisburg on weekdays.

News and Media

Gettysburg has several local media options:

• The Gettysburg Times: A daily newspaper.
• Raices De Todos: A monthly magazine for the growing Latino/Hispanic community.
• The Evening Sun: Another daily newspaper.
• Celebrate Gettysburg: A lifestyle magazine.
• WGET-AM 1320 and WGTY-FM 107.7: Local radio stations.
• WZBT-FM 91.1: A college radio station from Gettysburg College.

Gettysburg is part of a larger media area that includes Harrisburg and York. Residents can watch news from TV stations like WHTM-TV and WHP-TV in Harrisburg, WGAL in Lancaster, and WPMT in York.

Learning in Gettysburg

Schools for Kids

The Gettysburg Area School District serves the town. Schools within Gettysburg borough include Lincoln Elementary School and Gettysburg Area Middle School. Gettysburg Area High School is in nearby Straban Township. James Gettys Elementary School is also nearby.

Colleges and Universities

Gettysburg is home to several higher education institutions:

• Gettysburg College
• Harrisburg Area Community College Gettysburg Campus
• A campus of the United Lutheran Seminary

Sister Cities

Gettysburg has "sister city" relationships with several other places around the world. This means they share cultural and educational ties:

• Gettysburg, South Dakota, since 1997
• León, Nicaragua, since 1987
• Sainte-Mère-Église, France, since 1993
• Morelia, Mexico, since 2004
• Sekigahara, Japan, since 2016

Important Buildings

Gettysburgh Borough Hall

• Eisenhower National Historic Site: This site protects the home and farm of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th U.S. President.
• Federal Building: This building has been the main Adams County Library since 1992. It was once the headquarters for the Gettysburg National Military Park.

Famous People from Gettysburg

Many notable people have connections to Gettysburg:

• Laura A. Brown (1874–1924): An American activist and local politician.
• Brian Patrick Clarke: An American film and television actor.
• Steve Courson: A former NFL player who graduated from Gettysburg Area High School.
• Dwight D. Eisenhower: The 34th U.S. President, who retired to a farm near Gettysburg.
• Julia Jacobs Harpster (1846–1935): An American Lutheran missionary.
• The Rev. Henry Eyster Jacobs (1844–1932): A theologian and seminary president.
• Julia H. Johnston: A Christian songwriter.
• Elizabeth C. Keller (1837–1912): A physician.
• Fritz Pfeiffer (1889–1960): An artist.
• Eddie Plank: A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, born in Gettysburg.
• The Rev. Samuel Simon Schmucker: A founder of Gettysburg College.
• Jeff Shaara (1952-): An award-winning American novelist.
• Thaddeus Stevens: A Gettysburg attorney and important opponent of slavery.
• John Studebaker: A co-founder of the Studebaker Corporation automobile company.
• Elizabeth Thorn (1832–1907): A cemetery caretaker who buried many soldiers after the Battle of Gettysburg.

See also

In Spanish: Gettysburg (Pensilvania) para niños