Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Gettysburg's First Municipal Water Supply
Photographed by Karl Schwarz
1. Gettysburg's First Municipal Water Supply Marker
This well and a nearby spring were the first sources of municipal water service provided to the town of Gettysburg.
In 1822 the Gettysburg Water Company acquired this property along with the well and spring, and channeled the water to their reservoir atop the hill near the intersection of E. High and Stratton Streets. Distribution from the reservoir throughout the town was accomplished by way of buried wooden pipe fashioned from bored-out logs, "grooved to fit at the ends." (See original section in the rear of this well foundation.)
In 1860 a small frame structure was constructed over the well which was replaced in the early 1870's wit ha new and larger "tasteful building."
By the mid-1890's nearby Marsh Creek had replaced this and other local wells as Gettysburg's principal source of water. At about this time, Mr. Robert Caldwell acquired the lot and built the brick home (to your left), incorporating the spring in its cellar and dismantling the old well building.
Erected by Main Street Gettysburg, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1822.
Location. 39° 49.468′ N, 77° 13.868′ W. Marker is in
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Civil War Comes to Gettysburg (a few steps from this marker); Caught in the Crossfire (a few steps from this marker); The John Rupp House and Tannery Site (a few steps from this marker); John Rupp (within shouting distance of this marker); The Welty House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wagon Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); In July 1863 this was the site of the Rupp Tannery (within shouting distance of this marker); ...Lincoln passed by... (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Wagon Hotel on Cemetery Hill (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 23, 2019
2. Gettysburg's First Municipal Water Supply Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 23, 2019
3. Gettysburg's First Municipal Water Supply Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 784 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 1, 2025, by Karl Schwarz of Centreville, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on February 24, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear daylight context photo. • Can you help?
