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

The Wagon Hotel

Sharpshooters on Cemetery Hill

Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 26, 2025

1. The Wagon Hotel wayside

Inscription.
On July 1, 1863, when the Federal 1st and 11th Corps were routed on the fields north and west of Gettysburg, the defeated soldiers hurriedly fled towards the citadel of Cemetery Hill. They passed through the town via Baltimore, Washington and Stratton streets, with Confederates in hot pursuit. Fighting occurred in the streets and alleys. Opposing sharpshooters positioned themselves in houses and other structures in the southern end of town.

The Wagon Hotel, located at the intersection of Baltimore Street and Emmitsburg Road, served as the center of the Union skirmish line along the north face of Cemetery Hill. From this site, Union soldiers dueled with Confederate sharpshooters in the town, firing from the hotel’s windows and through holes bored in the roof.

William Ker of the 73rd PA., recalled a brick house to the left of this place,” where several “Confederate soldiers were killed in one window.”

Erected by Main Street Gettysburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1863.

Location. 39° 49.45′ N, 77° 13.853′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg,

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Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is at the intersection of Baltimore Street and Steinwehr Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Baltimore Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 504 Baltimore Street, 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's First Municipal Water Supply (within shouting distance of this marker); The Welty House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Rupp (within shouting distance of this marker); The Civil War Comes to Gettysburg (within shouting distance of this marker); Caught in the Crossfire (within shouting distance of this marker);

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The John Rupp House and Tannery Site (within shouting distance of this marker); In July 1863 this was the site of the Rupp Tannery (within shouting distance of this marker); “… your sister is dead.” (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Wagon Hotel on Cemetery Hill (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This replaces the previous wayside with the new version of the Main Street Gettysburg waysides that have been appearing throughout the town.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This replaces the previous Main Street Gettysburg wayside at this location - The Wagon Hotel on Cemetery Hill

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 165 times since then and 33 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 2, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of wayside at site • Can you help?