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Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
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Gettysburg is a city located in the state of Pennsylvania, USA. Although known primarily as an attraction because of its proximity to the Gettysburg Battlefield, site of the Battle of Gettysburg, the town is also known for its institutions of higher learning, namely the Lutheran Theological Seminary, founded in 1826, and Gettysburg College (originally Pennsylvania College), which began operating in 1832.
ysburg has seasonal weather that varies from around in the winter months to almost in the summer.
ysburg, home to the Battle of Gettysburg (1863) of the American Civil War, draws in large numbers of tourists every year to visit the historical sites around the small town as well as the battlefield itself.
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Encyclopedia
Gettysburg is a city located in the state of Pennsylvania, USA. Although known primarily as an attraction because of its proximity to the Gettysburg Battlefield, site of the Battle of Gettysburg, the town is also known for its institutions of higher learning, namely the Lutheran Theological Seminary, founded in 1826, and Gettysburg College (originally Pennsylvania College), which began operating in 1832.
Climate
Gettysburg has seasonal weather that varies from around in the winter months to almost in the summer.
History and culture
Gettysburg, home to the Battle of Gettysburg (1863) of the American Civil War, draws in large numbers of tourists every year to visit the historical sites around the small town as well as the battlefield itself. Gettysburg has many activities and tours to offer to vacationers and tourists that are interested in the Gettysburg area and the history of the town and the battle. A narrated tour via double-decker bus and tours of the Jenny Wade house are two examples. Ghost tours are also popular with tourists, profiling various locations reported to be haunted. One of the most popular times to visit Gettysburg is in the Summer and early Fall months, about June through October.
A popular attraction held in Gettysburg is the Reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg which is held every summer for the three days around the fourth of July. Events include cannons being fired, marching over the same grounds as the solders did, fake deaths, sleeping in tents and really reliving the life of a union or confederate soldier during the time of the war. Amongst the tours, ghost stories and reenactments there are also a variety of restaurants to choose from while visiting Gettysburg.
The Dobbin House Tavern, which is one of the most famous restaurants in Gettysburg, was once home to Reverend Alexander Dobbin in 1776. The restaurant has since been authentically restored and provides an ambiance that was once present during the historic days of Gettysburg. The Dobbin House is lit by candles while the wait staff serves authentic foods from two centuries ago dressed in civil war attire. Other attractions that are very appealing to tourists are the hotels and bed and breakfasts around the town. The Gettysburg Hotel is a popular destination for tourists because of all the history that the hotel holds. The Gettysburg Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Gettysburg, within walking distance to historical sites, restaurants and shopping. The hotel has been in business since 1797 and in 1863 witnessed events that took place during the three day battle.
Harrisburg Area Community College also has a campus in the area.
Demographics
Gettysburg is a borough 38 miles (68 km) south by southwest of Harrisburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania, USA, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2000 census, the borough's population was 7,490.
Many roads radiate from Gettysburg, providing hub-like access to Baltimore (52 miles/84 kilometers), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (38 miles/61kilometers), Carlisle (30 miles/48 kilometers), Frederick and Hagerstown, Maryland (25 and 30 miles, or 40 and 48 kilometers, respectively), and Washington, D.C. (90 miles/145 kilometers). Chambersburg is west on the Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30), the first transcontinental U.S. highway. Today the borough is a 2˝ hour drive from Philadelphia and a 3˝ hour drive from Pittsburgh via the Pennsylvania Turnpike and U.S. Route 15. Gettysburg Regional Airport, a small general aviation airport, is located 2 miles (4 km) west of Gettysburg.
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,490 people, 2,541 households, and 1,229 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,562.3 people per square mile (1,763.4/km˛). There were 2,759 housing units at an average density of 1,680.6/sq mi (649.5/km˛). The racial makeup of the borough was 85.46% White, 5.79% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.67% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races. 8.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,541 households out of which 22.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.6% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 51.6% were non-families. 42.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the borough the population was spread out with 16.2% under the age of 18, 36.2% from 18 to 24, 19.1% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.1 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $29,840, and the median income for a family was $40,489. Males had a median income of $30,341 versus $21,111 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $14,157. About 13.2% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.0% of those under age 17 and 5.2% of those age 77 or over.
Tourism information
Because of the Battle of Gettysburg the main industry of the borough is tourism. Many places of interest include; Little Round Top, Big Round Top, Devil's Den, the Peacelight Memorial, and during the days of July 1st through the 3rd visitors can witness the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg. If you would like to learn more about the town there are many places you may go. From simply walking around the Battlefield or the town there are many plaques with information about various buildings and events. Other ways of learning more about the town is taking a Ghost Walk or riding on one of the many Battlefield Tour Buses. The tour buses will take you through the town and the battlefield and is fully dramatized in stereo. A Ghost Walk will take you through the town with a guide telling you about the history of the town and the ghosts that may be in the town.
Media
- Adams Community TV a non-profit media company.
- a daily newspaper.
- Raices De Todos, a bilingual monthly cultural magazine, serves the city's growing Latino/Hispanic population.
- a daily newspaper.
- a lifestyles magazine dedicated to life in and around Gettysburg
- a daily independent news outlet.
Colleges and universities
Sister cities
Gettysburg has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International.
Bibliography
- The History and Topography of Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Bedford, Adams, and Perry Counties Lancaster City, PA: Gilbert Hills, 1846.
External links
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