Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The John Rupp House and Tannery Site
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 18, 2014
1. The John Rupp House and Tannery Site Marker
The house on your left was constructed in 1868 for John Rupp. Described as “one of the finest on Baltimore Street, if not the town,” this Gothic Revival style “cottage” reflected the success of Rupp’s “Valuable Steam Tannery.” Located just north of the house, the tannery included a two-story tan shop, several bark sheds, a “finishing and drying shop” and a bark mill able to turn out “5000 hides a year.”
At the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, a smaller two story brick house stood here. When the Confederates captured the town, the house was caught between the lines, and Rupp sent his wife and children to safety while he remained. In a letter to his sister afterwards, he noted that “Our men occupied my porch, and the rebel men the rear of the house, and I in the cellar . . . our house is pretty well riddled.”
Erected by Main Street Gettysburg, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 39°
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Caught in the Crossfire (here, next to this marker); The Civil War Comes to Gettysburg (a few steps from this marker); Gettysburg's First Municipal Water Supply (a few steps from this marker); ...Lincoln passed by... (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wagon Hotel on Cemetery Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Baltimore Street: An Historic Corridor (within shouting distance of this marker); The Evolution of Gettysburg's "Common School" (within shouting distance of this marker); "if anyone showed himself…" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gettysburg.
More about this marker. The right side of the marker contains two photographs. One depicts the Rupp “cottage” shortly after it was built in 1868, and the other shows “The southside of the Rupp house on November 19, 1863.”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 18, 2014
2. The John Rupp House and Tannery Site Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 18, 2014
3. The John Rupp House and Tannery Site Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 18, 2014
4. Marker at the John Rupp House
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 18, 2014
5. The John Rupp House in Gettysburg
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,094 times since then and 267 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 20, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
