Gettysburg station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station
The c. 1858 Italianate depot with arched windows, cornice moldings, and a low-pitched roof with eaves (the 1-story addition was in 1886,).
Other names	Gettysburg Train Station Lincoln Train Station Western Maryland Railroad Station
Location	35 Carlisle Street Gettysburg, PA United States
Coordinates	39°49′55.232″N 77°13′51.46″W / 39.83200889°N 77.2309611°W / 39.83200889; -77.2309611
Owned by	Gettysburg National Military Park
Operated by	Gettysburg Foundation
Line(s)	Western Maryland Railway (defunct) CSX Transportation (freight line - does not stop at station)
Platforms	1
Tracks	1
Construction
Structure type	At-grade
Bicycle facilities	Yes
Disabled access	Yes
History
Opened	May 1858 (1858-05)
Closed	December 31, 1942 (1942-12-31)
Key dates
1863-1865	Service is interrupted at the station as the Confederate Army made its way north and engages the Union Army during the Gettysburg Campaign. Service is only restored following repairs to the rail lines and bridges.
Former services
Preceding station Western Maryland Railway Following station Seven Stars toward Highfield Baltimore – Hanover – Gettysburg Line Granite toward Glyndon
Gettysburg Train Station
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Location	Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Built	c.1858
Restored	2009 (2009)
Restored by	Gettysburg Foundation
Part of	Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District (ID75000155)
MPS	Battle of Gettysburg MPS
Designated CP	March 19, 1975 (1975-03-19)

The Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station is a famous historic train station in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It's also known as the "Gettysburg Train Station" or "Lincoln Train Station." This station was open from 1858 to 1942.

It's a very important part of the Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District. The station is most famous because President Abraham Lincoln arrived here on November 18, 1863. He left from this station after giving his famous Gettysburg Address. During the American Civil War, the station was used as a hospital. It also helped send wounded soldiers away and bring in supplies.

In 2015, the station became part of the Gettysburg National Military Park. It is now managed by the Gettysburg Foundation.

History of the Gettysburg Station

The idea for a railroad through Gettysburg started in the 1830s, but it wasn't finished then. The Gettysburg Railroad line finally opened on December 1, 1858. A few days later, a party was held for railroad leaders near the new station.

The Gettysburg Railroad Company started building the Passenger Depot in September 1858. It was located at the corner of Carlisle and Railroad Street. By January 1859, the company decided to hold their future meetings right in the station's office.

The Station During the Civil War

Train service to the station stopped on June 27, 1863. This happened when Confederate soldiers, led by Jubal Early, burned a bridge over Rock Creek. Luckily, the station itself was not damaged during the battle.

The station was used as a hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg. Soldiers even used the station's high cupola (a small dome-like structure on the roof) to look out during the fighting. After the battle, a special station was set up nearby for Camp Letterman, a large hospital camp. By the end of July, almost 15,000 wounded soldiers had passed through the Gettysburg station on trains. A medical officer arrived on July 8 to manage how the wounded were moved.

A Young Heroine at the Station

As Confederate forces got close to Gettysburg, a young telegraph operator at the station showed great bravery. She was the adopted daughter of a "Mr. Lee." She quickly packed up her telegraph machine and took it with her. She then connected the wires at Cemetery Hill to keep the communication line working.

She even taught soldiers how to connect to the wires. She used the telegraph key to send important information about the Union Army. This brave girl stayed through the entire battle. She kept working even when soldiers around her were hit by bullets and shells. After the battle, she packed her machine again and went back to the station to continue her job. Her name was not known for many years, but her actions were truly heroic.

Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg station is most famous for its connection to Abraham Lincoln. On November 18, 1863, President Lincoln arrived at the station at 6:00 p.m. He came to Gettysburg for the dedication of the National Cemetery.

The next day, November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered his very famous Gettysburg Address. He then departed from the station 24 hours after he arrived.

After the Civil War

After the war, the station continued to be busy. Commercial telegraph service began at the depot in 1866. Over the years, the railroad line became part of several different companies. These included the Susquehanna, Gettysburg and Potomac Railway and the Western Maryland Railway.

The last passenger train left the Gettysburg station on December 31, 1942. After that, passenger service stopped. The station was still used until 1948 for managing freight trains and sending telegraph messages. In 1955, the Western Maryland Railway leased the building to the Gettysburg Travel Council.

Saving the Station: Renovation Efforts

By 1996, the station was in very bad condition and almost falling apart. People decided it needed to be saved. Money was raised for its renovation. The Borough of Gettysburg bought the property on May 6, 1998.

Renovation work began in January 2005 and was finished in 2006. The station had a grand reopening in 2006, celebrating Lincoln's arrival anniversary. Today, the station is operated by the National Trust for Historic Gettysburg.

Gettysburg Railroad Museum

The first floor of the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station is now a museum. It has an information counter and is open to the public every day for free.

The museum features models, diagrams, and exhibits. You can also see artifacts that were found during the station's renovation. It's a great place to learn about the station's history and its role in the Civil War.