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

I shall leave the place better than I found it.

Eisenhower National Historic Site

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

I shall leave the place better than I found it. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 10, 2013

1. I shall leave the place better than I found it. Marker

Inscription.
The fields in front of you demonstrate Eisenhower’s skill in farming. Using a system of crop rotation and contour plowing, Eisenhower slowly improved the productivity of the land. To prevent soil erosion and water run-off, fields were plowed perpendicular to the slope of the land. Soil nutrients were closely monitored and crops were rotated to rejuvenate the soil.

The President’s brother Milton recalled that Eisenhower “did a beautiful job of restoring productivity of the land. It became one of the most productive farms in the area.”

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series list.

Location. 39° 47.466′ N, 77° 15.88′ W. Marker is near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in Adams County. It is in Cumberland Township. It is on Eisenhower Farm Road. Marker is located at the Eisenhower National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: A Herd of Modest Size (within shouting distance of this marker); Ankonian has been invaluable. – President Eisenhower

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Eisenhower National Historic Site (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Second best, he didn’t want. – Robert Hartley, herdsman (about 400 feet away); Barnyard Diplomacy (about 500 feet away); The Pond (about 500 feet away); Follow in the Footsteps (about 800 feet away); The Helicopter Landing Pad (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.

More about this marker. The background of the marker contains an aerial photo of the Eisenhower Farm. The upper right side of the marker features a picture of a soil sample bag, with a caption of “Soil testing was critical to improving the farm’s productivity. Fertilizer, lime, and manure were applied to improve the soil.”

Also see . . . Eisenhower National Historic Park. National Park Service website. (Submitted on April 13, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 10, 2013

2. I shall leave the place better than I found it. Marker

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 10, 2013

3. I shall leave the place better than I found it. Marker

Marker on the Eisenhower Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 10, 2013

4. Marker on the Eisenhower Farm

Fields on the Eisenhower Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 10, 2013

5. Fields on the Eisenhower Farm

One of the fields described on the marker is seen here.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 543 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 13, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.