Hanover in York County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Abraham Lincoln

Photographed by Henry T. McLin, December 31, 2008

1. Abraham Lincoln Marker

Inscription. Abraham Lincoln, on November 18, 1863 addressed the citizens of Hanover from the rear platform of a Hanover Branch Railroad Coach when the train bearing him to Gettysburg for the dedication of the National Cemetery came down a switch to the station which stood at the site. At the request of Captain A. W. Eichelberger, President of the Railroad, several hundred persons assembled to greet Mr. Lincoln. When Pastor M.J. Alleman of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church cried out, "Father Abraham, your children want to hear you." The president removing his hat and bending his six feet four inches of height stepped into view through the low door way. A few grasped his hand. Jackie (or John A.) Melsheimer, held up by his father, reached him an apple which he smilingly accepted. Referring to the battle fought here June 30, he said, "I trust when the enemy was here the citizens of Hanover were loyal to our country and the stars and stripes. If you are not all true patriots in support of the union you should be." Before he could say more the engineer opened the throttle and the train backed out after an eight minute stop. The next day the President’s train again paused here briefly. After the trip Mr. Lincoln gave the conductor, John Eckert, a silver watch. The car that carried the president from Hanover Junction to Hanover and Gettysburg was built in a railroad shop on this public Common.

Erected 1942 by Hanover Post No. 2506, Veterans of Foreign Wars, with the cooperation of the Western Maryland Railway Company.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1862.

Location. 39° 48.2′ N, 76° 59.1′ W.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Marker is in Hanover, Pennsylvania, in York County. It is on N. Railroad Street 0.2 miles north of Broadway (Pennsylvania Route 194), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hanover PA 17331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania, specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country,

in the Susquehanna Valley,

and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

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: Korean War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Abraham Lincoln (about

Photographed by Henry T. McLin

2. Abraham Lincoln Marker

The monument was repointed in 2009.

300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Commons of Locomotives & Locomotion (about 400 feet away); Working on the Railroad All the Live Long Day (about 400 feet away); This Train is Bound for Glory (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanover.

Photographed by Henry T. McLin, December 31, 2008

3. Abraham Lincoln Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2008, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,287 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on May 24, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on December 31, 2008, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on April 11, 2022, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on December 31, 2008, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.