Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
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Gettysburg is a borough 38 miles (68 km) south by southwest of Harrisburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania, USA, of which it is the county seat[Geographic references#6GR6]. As of the 2000 census, the borough population was 7,490.
Although known primarily as a tourist attraction due to its proximity to Gettysburg Battlefield, Gettysburg is also known for its institutions of higher learning, namely the Lutheran Theological Seminary, founded in 1826, and Pennsylvania College (now Gettysburg College), which began operating in 1832.
Many roads radiate from Gettysburg, providing hub-like access to Baltimore (52 miles), Harrisburg (38 miles), Carlisle (30 miles), Frederick and Hagerstown, Maryland (25 and 30 miles, respectively), and Washington, D.C. (60 miles). Chambersburg is 25 miles west on the Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30), the first transcontinental U.S. highway. Today the town is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Philadelphia via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and U.S. Route 15.
History
The Borough of Gettysburg was founded in 1786 by James Gettys, whose father Samuel built a tavern there in 1761. It is the county seat of Adams County, which was formed in 1800 from the western section of York County. Gettysburg was incorporated as a borough in 1806. It sits in the shadow of South Mountain, eight miles west of the town, and is framed by Marsh Creek to the west/southwest and Rock Creek to the east/southeast. In 1830, Gettysburg had a population of 1,473. By 1840 it had grown to 1,908; by 1863, 2,400; in 1900, 3,495; 1910, 4,030; 1940, 5,916. Many rich farms surrounded the town, and various industries thrived. An early history of Adams County stated: "The inhabitants are industrious and enterprising, many of whom are devoted to mechanical pursuits, and particularly to the manufacture of carriages of every description, a branch of business which has been commenced here since 1817."
American Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg
During the American Civil War (1861–65), Company K, 1st Pennsylvania Reserves, was made up of men from Gettysburg. This unit was present in the Army of the Potomac during the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1–3, 1863. As nearly 160,000 soldiers descended on the small village, the battle raged all around and through the town. On July 1 the Theological Seminary was the scene of much heavy fighting, and the Seminary buildings—as well as those of Pennsylvania College and most other public and many private buildings—were used as hospitals. President Abraham Lincoln visited the town in November 1863 to attend the dedication ceremony of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, where he gave his Gettysburg Address.Reunions
In the summer of 1913, the 50th anniversary of the battle, 54,000 veterans attended a massive reunion of the Blue and Gray in Gettysburg.The final reunion of the Blue and Gray to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the battle took place from June 26–July 6, 1938. More than 1,800 veterans were able to attend the reunion, which included the dedication of the Eternal Light Peace Memorial on Oak Hill by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 3, 1938. An estimated 250,000 people witnessed the dedication. The memorial still stands today and is a popular tourist attraction.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
During the First World War (1914–18), Gettysburg was the site of Camp Colt, a tank-training camp. The camp's commander was a young captain, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower was taken by the bucolic beauty; in 1950 he purchased the John Biesecker farm, just west of the Confederate positions on Seminary Ridge. The farm served as a presidential retreat, temporary White House, and meeting place for world leaders, including Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, French President Charles De Gaulle, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and then-Governor Ronald Reagan.Gettysburg today
Gettysburg is a thriving farm community, and Gettysburg College is among the nation's excellent private educational institutions. Numerous orchards surround the town, which holds an annual Apple Blossom Festival each fall. Gettysburg's primary industry is tourism, as nearly two million visitors arrive each year to visit Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site, both maintained and operated by the National Park Service.Casino proposal
There is current debate about the proposed construction of a casino less than two miles outside of Gettysburg near the intersection of U.S. Route 15 and U.S. Route 30 in Straban Township, Pennsylvania. Legislation enacted in 2005 known as "Act 71" would permit up to 60,000 slot machines to be located in casinos throughout the state in an effort to offset high property taxes. One of two available casino licenses is being pursued by Chance Enterprises Inc. and Millennium Management Group for their proposed "Crossroads Gaming Resort & Spa". Many of Gettysburg's residents and tourists believe that a casino near Gettysburg and the resulting increase in traffic would have a negative impact on Gettysburg's hallowed ground. A group called "No Casino Gettysburg," made up of local citizens as well as students and faculty of Gettysburg College, has been formed to lobby against the proposal.On April 3, 2006, the Gettysburg borough council voted by 6–3 to support the proposal.[link]
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board began hearings on the proposal on April 5, 2006 at Gettysburg College. A second hearing was held on April 7, 2006 in Harrisburg and a third and final hearing occurred on May 17, 2006 at Gettysburg College.[link]
Geography
Gettysburg is located at [Geographic references#1GR1].According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 4.3 km² (1.6 mi²), of which 4.2 km² (1.6 mi²) is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 7,490 people, 2,541 households, and 1,229 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,763.4/km² (4,562.3/mi²). There were 2,759 housing units at an average density of 649.5/km² (1,680.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 85.46% White, 5.79% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.67% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races. 8.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 2,541 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.6% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.6% were non-families. 42.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the borough the population was spread out with 16.2% under the age of 18, 36.2% from 18 to 24, 19.1% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $29,840, and the median income for a family was $40,489. Males had a median income of $30,341 versus $21,111 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $14,157. About 13.2% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.0% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
Media
- The Gettysburg Times, a daily newspaper.
- Raices De Todos, a bilingual monthly cultural magazine, serves the city's growing Latino/Hispanic population.
Colleges and universities
- Gettysburg College
- Harrisburg Area Community College (Gettysburg Campus)
- Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
External links
Bibliography
- The History and Topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry Counties Lancaster City, PA: Gilbert Hills, 1846.
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