Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Elsie Singmaster
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 11, 2013
1. Elsie Singmaster Marker
Born at Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, Elsie Singmaster came to Gettysburg in 1901 where her father taught and served as president of the Seminary. A prolific writer for almost 50 years, Elsie Singmaster authored more than 300 short stories and nearly 40 books. Her stories appeared in such magazines as Saturday Evening Post, Ladies Home Journal, and Atlantic Monthly. Two of her favorite topics were Pennsylvania Germans and the Battle of Gettysburg. The setting for her novel Swords of Steel (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1933) was right here on Seminary Ridge. It was a Newberry Award honor book in 1934. For many years Elsie Singmaster Lewars lived in the house which bears her name just across the lawn from this spot. She was a prominent citizen of Gettysburg and a highly respected woman of her time.
Erected 2013 by The Seminary Ridge Historic Preservation Foundation. (Marker Number 14.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Gettysburg - Seminary Ridge Historic Walking Tour series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 39° 50.027′ N, 77° 14.705′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Stevens' Battery (a few steps from this marker); Ewell's Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Prisoners of War (within shouting distance of this marker); This Breastwork (within shouting distance of this marker); Habitat of Seminary Ridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee's Headquarters at Gettysburg (within shouting distance of this marker); 95th New York Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lee's Headquarters At Gettysburg (about 300 feet away); Emanuel Bell Tower (about 400 feet away); Civilians on Seminary Ridge (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. This marker is Stop 14 on the Seminary Ridge Historic Walking Trail.
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 11, 2013
2. Elsie Singmaster Marker
A closeup of the text
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 11, 2013
3. Elsie Singmaster Marker
A closeup of the photo from the marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
4. Elsie Singmaster Marker
Photographed By Brian Scott, September 23, 2015
5. Elsie Singmaster Marker
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 11, 2013
6. View from the Marker
This is the view from the marker itself. View looks toward the southeast. At center is the Lutheran Theological Seminary's chapel, and at left is the Krauth House.
Photographed By Karl Stelly, July 8, 2013
7. The Lewars House
Elsie Singmaster Lewars' home for many years, here at 178 Seminary Ridge Avenue.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 796 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on December 4, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on July 14, 2013, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
