Yesterday a contractor for the National Park Service began to remove the trees behind (south of) the West End Guide Station located on West McPherson’s Ridge and along the Chambersburg Pike (US 30). The purpose is to restore the battlefield closer to its 1863 appearance. The contractor began by removing the trees closest to the rear of the Guide Station. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
A National Park Service contractor began removing the trees to the south of the West End Guide Station yesterday (March 1, 2010). The trees, which were not here at the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, cover an approximately half acre. When the viewshed is opened, one can get a better idea of what Lieutenant John Calef’s Battery A, 2nd United States Artillery was seeing (or attempting to see) on July 1, 1863. For those wishing to have a completely unobstructed view toward’s Herr’s Ridge, however, the West End Guide Station, which is essentially a large restroom, would have to be removed.
See the following related posts:
West End Guide Station Tree Cutting Scheduled to Begin Today on March 1, 2010.
We’ll walk around the area to give you an idea of the change in the viewshed. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
The work began today, and is scheduled to continue until mid March “which is when we usually shut down in order to leave trees undisturbed for spring bird nesting.” This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
They didn’t take down too many trees today. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
However, the Guide Station is becoming a little more visible. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
It will also be interesting to see if this gravel area, now turned mostly to mud behind the guide station will remain. Visitors could park here without the trees and get a good view to the west. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
It will also be interesting to see if the fence in the left background, running towards the mountains to the west, will be kept in the same place, or moved closer to the West End Guide Station after the trees are removed. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
OK, time for some before and after pictures. Here’s how this area looked on Sunday, the day before the cutting began. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:45 AM on Sunday, February 28, 2010.
And here’s how it looks after the first day of cutting. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
We’ve moved a little farther to the right, or north. The McPherson Barn is behind us. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
And a little farther to the right or north. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
We’ll start closer to the West End Guide station and move back to give a wider view of the area. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
The road is the Chambersburg Pike (US 30). The equestrian statue to Major General John Reynolds, and the standing statue of Brigadier General John Buford are in the left background. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday, March 1, 2010.
See the following related posts:
Tree Cutting Between the Baltimore Pike and Spangler’s Spring on March 11, 2009.
James McAllister Farm Tree Cutting Update on April 16, 2009.
Culp’s Hill Tree Cutting Part 1: Spangler’s Lane on September 27, 2009.
Culp’s Hill Tree Cutting Part 2: The Ravine on September 28, 2009.
Culp’s Hill Tree Cutting: Northeast Slope of Culp’s Hill on November 17, 2009.
Spangler’s Spring Tree Cutting (Lack of Tree Cutting) Update on November 21, 2009.
Power Lines, Ground Disturbance, and the Inadequate Devil’s Den Restroom on September 5, 2009.
Devil’s Den Restroom, The Final Months on February 4, 2010.
West End Guide Station Tree Cutting Scheduled to Begin Today on March 1, 2010.
