Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hub of History
Gettysburg's Train Station
| | Gettysburg Campaign | |
Photographed by Mike McKeown
1. Hub of History Marker
On June 30, 1863, even before vicious fighting began, Union cavalry Gen. John Buford established a hospital in the station for sick troopers. By the next day, July 1, Iron Brigade surgeon Jacob Ebersole was also serving here. He remembered Confederate troops "sweeping past the hospital and completely filling the streets." Ebersole worked here two weeks while the transportation hub also facilitated the movement of much-needed relief supplies and the removal of Federal dead and wounded.
On November 18, 1863, an evening train chugged into this building bringing President Abraham Lincoln and his entourage. The group walked one block south to attorney David Wills' home.
At the Wills House, President Lincoln put the finishing touches on his Gettysburg address, which delivered the next morning in the Gettysburg National Cemetery (Soldiers' National Cemetery). It's moving to think that some of the men "who here gave their lives," as the president put it in his famous speech, passed thorough the station on their final journey home. Lincoln departed from the station on November 19 to return to Washington.
Erected 2023 by Pennsylvania
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1863.
Location. 39° 49.921′ N, 77° 13.862′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is at the intersection of Carlisle Street (Pennsylvania Route 34) and West Railroad Street, on the right when traveling north on Carlisle Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 Carlisle St, Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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: Gettysburg College (here, next to this marker); Gettysburg College's Majestic Theater (a few steps from this marker); The Sheads-Buehler Building (a few steps from this marker); Western Maryland Station (within shouting distance of this marker); The Majestic Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); "It seemed so awful..." (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln Square Building (about 300 feet away); Center Square (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Other markers no longer nearby. Gettysburg R.R. Depot (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker
Photographed by Mike McKeown
2. Hub of History Marker
View from across the street
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Gettysburg R.R. Depot"
Also see . . . Gettysburg station. Wikipedia (Submitted on July 8, 2023.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 7, 2023, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 357 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 7, 2023, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
