Cumberland Township near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Helicopter Landing Pad
Eisenhower National Historic Park
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2010
1. The Helicopter Landing Pad Marker
The smoothest ride I ever had in my life.
his first helicopter ride
President Eisenhower was the first president to travel by helicopter. His first ride was in 1957 during Operation Alert, a Cold War exercise to evacuate the president and his cabinet officers to safety in the Virginia mountains in case of nuclear attack. The helicopter soon proved to be very convenient, as well.
A drive from the White House to Gettysburg took about two hours. On a helicopter, he could travel to Gettysburg in about 35 minutes. Camp David, another presidential retreat, was a 10-minute flight to the south.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Government & Politics • War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.
Location. 39° 47.628′ N, 77° 15.845′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is on Eisenhower Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the Eisenhower National Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gettysburg PA 17325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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: The Guest House (within shouting distance of this marker); Guest House Railings (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Eisenhower National Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Follow in the Footsteps (within shouting distance of this marker); The Stables (within shouting distance of this marker); President Eisenhowers Gettysburg Farm (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Secret Service Office (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Welcome to Eisenhower National Historic Site (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. The bottom of the marker features a photograph of Eisenhower and French President de Gaulle exiting a helicopter. It has a caption of “Charles de Gaulle, walking next to Eisenhower, visited the farm in April 1960, during a break from talks at nearby Camp David. Eisenhower found the farm a perfect setting for conducting one-on-one diplomacy.”
The right of the marker contains a photo of “A Marine helicopter with the President aboard land[ing] near the Eisenhower home in 1958,” and a picture of a portable light with the caption “When the Secret Service received word of the Presidents
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2010
2. Marker at the Eisenhower Farm
Also see . . . Eisenhower National Historic Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on November 4, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2010
3. The Helicopter Landing Pad Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 4, 2010
4. Eisenhower National Historic Park
The Helicopter Landing Pad marker is located on President Eisenhower's Gettysburg farm.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,737 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 4, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
