Another Non-Historic Structure on the South Side of Cemetery Hill

The Comfort Suites Motel on the Baltimore Pike is being constructed near the property line of Evergreen Cemetery. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

Great strides have been made in attempting to restore the Gettysburg Battlefield area closer to the way that it looked in 1863. Some areas where important events occurred, such as Camp Letterman on the east side of town, have been lost to development without much of a fight. It was felt by many that if the area east of town was developed, that would take pressure off areas near the center of town, and the locations of the best known battlefield actions. The new National Park Service Visitor Center was moved to an area in the low ground, out of site of the location of some very important events which occurred on Cemetery Hill and Cemetery Ridge.

When the National Park Service Visitor Center moved near the Baltimore Pike, it was hoped that development wouldn’t follow, and create a non-historic area, such as exists on Steinwehr Avenue. For the most part, the Baltimore Pike near the National Military Park has been saved from further development. Then along came the Comfort Suites Motel that is being constructed next to the Evergreen Cemetery.

When one drives on Slocum Avenue towards McKnight’s Hill (Stevens Knoll) where the statue of Major-General Henry Slocum is located, the Comfort Inn is now very visible to the left of the statue. Another reason that this area is so visible is the National Park Service’s attempt to restore the battlefield closer to its 1863 appearance. In this area, they have cut down many trees which used to block the buildings. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

When one drives from Stevens Knoll towards the Baltimore Pike, other non-historic structures are now very prominent. The Comfort Inn is on the left, and the Battlefield Military Museum is in the center of this view. The white house on the right is another non-historic structure. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

Driving southwest on Slocum Avenue towards the Baltimore Pike, the new Comfort Inn is on the left, and the McKnight House (stone structure is original) is on the right. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

Looking southeast down the Baltimore Pike, the entrance to the Battlefield Military Museum is on the left. The Evergreen Cemetery and the new Comfort Inn are on the right. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

The Comfort Inn is being constructed within 20 feet of the property line of Evergreen Cemetery. Is this progress? This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

The Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors approved the demolition of the old Econo Lodge that was in an area to the left of this view, and the construction of the Comfort Inn on this location on February 26, 2008. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

The old Econo Lodge was located with its back to the woods in the left background of this photo. This view was taken facing west at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

As one approaches Gettysburg on the Baltimore Pike and begins driving up Cemetery Hill, they may be thinking about Abraham Lincoln coming to Gettysburg to give his Gettysburg Address. Well, probably not now, after receiving this new view of Cemetery Hill. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

To have the structure placed so close to the Evergreen Cemetery property line, and to cut into the slope, a waiver had to be requested from the Cumberland Township Council. Councilman David Waybright made a motion to grant the waiver, and Councilman Debbie Golden seconded the motion, and it was carried. The minutes state that “Mrs. Golden made a motion to approve the Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan, as amended, seconded by Mr. Shealer (Thomas Shealer) and carried. This is Resolution 08-06.” This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

The structure was originally approved to be three stories, but it appears a fourth story is now being added. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

Unfortunately, this will probably be a popular destination for ghost hunters, and cause more after hours trespassing problems for Evergreen Cemetery manager Brian Kennell. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.

Rest in Peace Donald Bernheimer. The number of people viewing your grave will be greatly increased in the coming years. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 9:30 AM on Monday, December 1, 2008.