Round Top, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Round Top
Round-Top
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This 1904 map shows Round Top buildings along the Taneytown and Wheatfield roads (right).
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| Etymology: "Round-Top R. R. Station" | |
 Round Top
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Adams |
| Township | Cumberland |
| Established | c. 1880 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
17325
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| Area code(s) | 717 |
| GNIS ID | 1185538 (1979) |
Round Top is a small community in Adams County, Pennsylvania. It is close to Little Round Top, a famous hill. This area is known for its history, especially related to the Battle of Gettysburg.
Round Top had two hospitals during the battle. It also had the Round Top Station, a train station built in 1884. Today, you can find attractions like Round Top Park and the Round Top Museum. These places remember the important events that happened here.
The community is on a raised area along Taneytown Road. This road runs north to south. It has three main intersections: Blacksmith Shop Road, Wheatfield Road, and Sachs Road.
Contents
History of Round Top
The Taneytown Road was built south from Gettysburg around 1808. It passed east of the Round Tops. By 1858, two other roads were built here. These roads led to three homes that would become Round Top.
One road, Wheatfield Road, went west towards the Emmitsburg Road. The other, Sachs Road, went east across Rock Creek. In 1884, the Gettysburg and Harrisburg Railroad built a steam train line to the Round Top Station. This train line ran until about 1942. Later, in 1894, the Gettysburg Electric Railway started trolley services to the station.
Sedgwick Post Office
In 1884, a refreshment stand opened near Little Round Top. Two years later, on July 20, 1886, the Sedgwick Post Office was announced. It opened on August 2 in the home of postmaster Lewis A. Bushman.
This post office served the local area. It was also a place to transfer mail going south on Taneytown Road. This mail went to Horner's Mill and later to the 1890 Barlow post office. The Sedgwick Post Office and its land were sold several times over the years. In 1965, the Round Top Museum owners bought the land. It was then given to the Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP) in 1971.
Round Top School
The Round Top School was a one-room school built in 1889. In 1892, a group of citizens met here. They formed a group to oppose the Gettysburg Electric Railway.
The school closed its doors in 1948. It was sold in 1952. Even though there were plans for renovations in 1972, it was later decided in 2004 that the school was not historically important.
Fun Places to Visit
Round Top has several fun places to visit. These include the Round Top Park, opened in 1884. There's also the Round Top Museum (also known as the Little Round Top Hotel), which opened in 1888. Next to it is Rosensteel Park. The community also had two other recreation areas.
Dr. Hudson's Grove
"Dr. Hudson's grove" was a picnic spot. It had a boxing arena and a social hall built in 1898. Veterinarian Edward Hudson created this area.
Hudson's stable had burned down in 1897. In 1900, his request for a tavern license for his hotel was denied. The property, including the Hotel Sedgwick, was later offered for sale. Hudson then leased the grove from the Gettysburg and Harrisburg Railway in 1902.
Cunningham Grove
Cunningham Grove, located east of Little Round Top, was used for picnics as early as 1879. This land was later transferred in 1905.
In 1923, a big funfair was held here for the Adams County firemen's convention. It had many games like ten-pin stands and blanket wheels. People parked about 2,000 cars in three fields for the event.
Round Top also gave its name to local hunting and economics clubs. In the 20th century, there were several businesses here. These included the Epley Blacksmith Shop (1904–1960) and the Round Top Fruit Farm (1916). There was also an early car dealership and the brick McGlaughlin general store. Shorty's Repair Shop operated from 1950 to 1965. Today, a fast food place built in 1962-63 is still open. There is also a roadside produce stand nearby.
