Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
a site for two legends
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 27, 2010
1. a site for two legends Marker
In 1863 one of Gettysburg's earliest weatherboarded buildings stood at this corner, the home of Judge Samuel Russell.
After the battle the body of an unidentified soldier was found in the side yard to its left clutching a photograph of three young children. The country-wide circulation of that photo led to the identification of Sergeant Amos Hummiston, 134th NY regiment, and generated a national concern with the plight of war-orphaned children and a movement to provide needed care.
The present building housed the automobile dealership of Eddie Plank in the early years of the 19th century. Plank was a native son who pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics (1901-19) and is enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. A former employee recalled: "Everybody knew Eddie Plank you couldn't get in the place."
Erected by Main Street Gettysburg, Inc., National Park Service / American Battlefield Protection Program.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Sports • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 39° 49.86′ N, 77° 13.728′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania,
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: St. James Lutheran Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a pathway to safety (within shouting distance of this marker); Gettys Crossroads and Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Gettys' Tavern Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roll of Honor (about 300 feet away); "harboring Confederates" (about 300 feet away); Amos Humiston
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 5, 2010
2. Gettysburg Marker
More about this marker. On the right side of marker is a photo of Plank captioned, Gettysburg's Eddie Plank during his Big League days as a Philadelphia Athletic (1901-1919). Further to the right is a photo of The Judge Russell house ca. 1890, shortly before its demolition. The fenced yard to the left is where Sergeant Hummiston was found.
Additional commentary.
1. Text on the marker
"The present building housed the automobile dealership of Eddie Plank in the early years of the 19th century..." should likely read 20th instead of 19th.
— Submitted August 6, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 5, 2010
3. a site for two legends Marker
This photo of the marker was taken from the south side of York Street.
Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 14, 2021
4. a site for two legends Marker along with the renovated building
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 30, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,797 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on August 6, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on June 30, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on November 6, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on September 21, 2021, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
