Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Evolution of Gettysburg's "Common School"

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 22, 2008

1. The Evolution of Gettysburg's "Common School" Marker

Inscription. In 1834 Gettysburg established a "common school" to provide its children with a free elementary education, which over the years evolved into the current Gettysburg Area School System.

Following 23 years of classes being held in multiple private dwellings, the first consolidated public school building was erected on E. High Street in 1857, and began a 100-year tenure of classroom service.

During the battle, the school building served as a hospital while its bell shared the cupola with a fugitive Union soldier who successfully hid from the occupying Confederate forces.

In the mid 1880s the public school curriculum was expanded to include a secondary education program. Over a span of thirty years, The Meade School (1897), the Lincoln School (1926) were erected to accommodate Gettysburg's rapidly growing population of students.

When the present Area School format replaced the county's local school systems, the Gettysburg Area High School was added to this site in 1962 and the Baltimore Street School building was remodeled as the Area Junior High School.

Erected by Main Street Gettysburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 39° 49.517′

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N, 77° 13.854′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. Marker is at the intersection of Baltimore Street (Business U.S. 15) and Lefever Street, on the right when traveling north on Baltimore Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 430 US-15 BUS, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Baltimore Street: An Historic Corridor (here, next to this marker); "if anyone showed himself…" (here, next to this marker); ...Lincoln passed by... (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Well (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Farnsworth House Inn (Circa 1810) (within shouting distance of this marker); Witness Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Stronghold (within shouting distance of this marker); Communications Through Music (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

More about this marker. Photos in the center and right of the marker depict The Evolution of Gettysburg's "Common School". Pictured are The High Street School (1858), the first school building; The Meade School (1897), Buford and Springs Sts the first High School; The Lincoln School (1909) the second High School; The Baltimore Street School (1926) the third High School.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 22, 2008

2. The Evolution of Gettysburg's "Common School" Marker

Memorial Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 22, 2008

3. Memorial Bell

Today's Gettysburg Area Middle School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, June 22, 2008

4. Today's Gettysburg Area Middle School

The school stands just north of Cemetery Hill, in an area occupied by Confederate forces during the battle.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,157 times since then and 159 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.