Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Alexander Dobbin House
In 1776, Reverend Alexander Dobbin, a Presbyterian minister from northern Ireland and one of the community's leading citizens, built this two-story Georgian stone home on a 300-acre tract. Known as both a school and a gathering place for major religious and political events, it is now recognized as the oldest surviving building in Gettysburg. During the Battle of Gettysburg, Alvira Ziegler and her five children were tenants of the home while her husband John served in the Union army. On July 2nd and 3rd, Union sharpshooters occupied the house and barn and skirmished with their Confederate adversaries positioned in the attics of nearby homes. Afterwards, the house is believed to have functioned as a temporary field hospital.
Following Dobbin's death in 1809, the property changed hands several times, with oral tradition suggesting it was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War. A slave hideout was restored to its nineteenth century appearance during restoration of the Dobbins House in 1977. A secret crawlspace is concealed behind the cupboard doors and a sliding shelf near the original kitchen.
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Courtesy of Gettysburg History / Adams County Historical Society
Erected by Main Street Gettysburg.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Architecture • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1863.
Location. 39° 49.363′ N, 77° 13.938′ W. Marker is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is on Steinwehr Avenue (Business U.S. 15) north of South Washington Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 76 Steinwehr Ave, 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
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 11, 2026
2. Alexander Dobbin House Marker
The Dobbin House is visible in the background.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dobbin House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Dobbin House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Dobbin House (within shouting distance of this marker); Freemasonry at Gettysburg (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jennie Wade (about 500 feet away); “… your sister is dead.” (about 500 feet away); 55th Ohio Infantry (about 500 feet away); “The National Homestead at Gettysburg” (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Continuing a Tradition: Freemasonry at Gettysburg (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Zachary Hinton, circa August 2006
3. The Dobin House
This is the left half of the Dobbin House which is the original tavern and now serves (both upstairs and downstairs) as the Alexander Dobbin Dining Rooms which serve traditional colonial period food in different rooms in the original building, all furnished according to the period. The basement is used for the Spring House tavern where light food is served in a alehouse environment.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 11, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on August 22, 2007, by Zachary Hinton of Carneys Point, New Jersey.
