Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
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| Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Gettysburg |
| Settlement type | Borough |
| Nickname | The Burg |
| Pushpin label | Gettysburg |
| Coordinates | 39, 49, 42, N... |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Pennsylvania |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Adams |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1780 |
| Established title1 | Incorporated (borough) |
| Established date1 | 1806 |
| Government type | Borough |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Rita C. Frealing |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Area total km2 | 4.35 |
| Area total sq mi | 1.68 |
| Area land km2 | 4.35 |
| Area land sq mi | 1.68 |
| Area water km2 | 0.00 |
| Area water sq mi | 0.00 |
| Elevation ft | 560 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 7188 |
| Population density km2 | 1652.41 |
| Population density sq mi | 4278.57 |
| Timezone | EST |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 17325 |
| Area code | 717 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 42-28960 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 1213649 |
| Website | www.gettysburgpa.gov |
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is a historic borough and the county seat of Adams County, Pennsylvania. It is internationally renowned as the site of the pivotal Battle of Gettysburg, a turning point in the American Civil War, and for President Abraham Lincoln's iconic Gettysburg Address. Today, the borough is a major destination for heritage tourism, anchored by the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center.
History
The area was part of the William Penn grant before being settled in the 1780s by James Gettys, for whom the town is named. Its early growth was tied to agriculture and its position at the crossroads of several early roads. The town's destiny was irrevocably altered from July 1 to 3, 1863, when the Army of the Potomac under George G. Meade clashed with the Army of Northern Virginia commanded by Robert E. Lee in the Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. The Union victory marked a strategic turning point. Four months later, on November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, cementing the location's place in national memory. Post-war efforts by figures like David Wills and veterans' groups like the Grand Army of the Republic led to the establishment of the Gettysburg National Military Park, formally dedicated in 1895. The borough also served as a site for the Eisenhower National Historic Site, the home and farm of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 1.68 square miles, all land. It is situated in the Piedmont region of south-central Pennsylvania, within the fertile Gettysburg Basin. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and ridges, such as Seminary Ridge and Cemetery Ridge, which were tactically significant during the 1863 battle. Major waterways include Rock Creek and several minor tributaries. The borough is surrounded by Cumberland Township and is approximately 35 miles southwest of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and 55 miles north-northwest of Baltimore, Maryland.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 7,188. The racial makeup was predominantly Non-Hispanic White, with smaller populations of African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic and Latino Americans. The population density is notably high for a borough, a reflection of its compact historic layout. Key demographic institutions include Gettysburg College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1832, and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, one of the oldest seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The presence of these institutions, along with the tourism sector, influences the age distribution and educational attainment levels of residents.
Economy
The economy is overwhelmingly driven by heritage tourism and education. The Gettysburg National Military Park attracts millions of visitors annually, supporting a wide array of hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, souvenir shops, and licensed battlefield guide services. Major employers include Gettysburg College, the National Park Service, and the Gettysburg Hospital, part of the WellSpan Health system. The manufacturing sector is limited but includes some food processing and specialty crafts. The borough is also home to the Gettysburg Railroad and has a history of apple and peach cultivation in the surrounding Adams County region, contributing to agritourism.
Culture and recreation
Cultural life is deeply intertwined with Civil War history. Key sites include the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, Gettysburg National Cemetery, and the David Wills House. Annual events like the Gettysburg Battle Reenactment and remembrances of the Gettysburg Address draw large crowds. The Majestic Theater, operated by Gettysburg College, hosts films, concerts, and lectures. Recreational opportunities abound at the Gettysburg National Military Park for hiking and cycling, and at nearby Eisenhower National Historic Site. The borough's downtown features numerous art galleries, antique shops, and historic inns like the Farnsworth House Inn.
Government
The borough operates under a borough council form of government with a seven-member elected Gettysburg Borough Council and a separately elected mayor. It is the county seat of Adams County, Pennsylvania, housing the Adams County Courthouse. Local services include a police department, fire department, and public works. The borough is part of Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district and is represented in the Pennsylvania State Senate and House of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.