GBPA Targets Greatest Threat To Hallowed Ground In Years

Originally published July 2016 · p. 41

GETTYSBURG, PA.—Calling it the greatest threat to the hallowed ground of the Gettysburg battlefield in many years, if not decades, at a May 18 news conference at the Historic Daniel Lady Farm, the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association made known its opposition to a proposed roadway extension designed to place big box stores and other commercial development on open land that was directly involved in the battle and its aftermath. GBPA President Barbara Mowery said ”we and many others are alarmed at the proposal in Straban Township to extend Camp Letterman Drive through what presently is open land, all for the purpose of enabling big box stores and other permanent buildings.” The road and planned development would destroy a key battlefield area and potentially wipe out any remaining portion of where the famed Camp Letterman Field Hospital was situated. Previous commercial development in Straban Township has already obliterated other parts of the Camp Letterman site. “This development scheme will wipe out actual battlefield land; violate the view-shed of the northern portion of the Gettysburg National Military Park; encroach on the fully-restored historic Daniel Lady Farm, which is an 1863 Civil War site; and obliterate any remaining part of the remaining Camp Letterman site” said Mowery. “This land is where the Confederate Army set artillery, and from this battle line launched thousands of soldiers to repeatedly attack the Union right flank on Culp’s Hill.” Most were Louisiana infantry regiments of Williams’ (Nichols’) Brigade; the 1st, 2nd, 10th, 14th and 15th Louisiana. Mowery said the big box construction and other planned commercial development along the extended Camp Letterman Drive would ruin the view-shed from Culp’s Hill, Benner’s Ridge, Lee’s headquarters, Herr’s Ridge and other locations within the northern portion of the Gettysburg National Military Park, as well as for the Historic Daniel Lady Farm. “It reminds us of the tall modern observation tower that was later removed because it was a blight on the view-shed of the entire park,” said Mowery. The extended Camp Letterman Drive would pass within 15 feet of the property line of the Historic Daniel Lady Farm. The GBPA has spent 17 years restoring the farm, including an 1843 barn and an even older fieldstone farmhouse that were used by Confederates as a field hospital and divisional headquarters. The Confederate Army battle line in the proposed commercial development site extended southeast to the Lady farmhouse. The Daniel Lady Farm hosts American living history and Civil War events, public tours and Boy Scout encampments while still providing agricultural use. Mowery said the GBPA will seek the support of historic preservation groups nationwide in the effort to stop the roadway extension and big box store construction scheme and noted that the effort may require legal action. “Gettysburg draws hundreds of thousands of Americans annually by its place in our history, not for having big box commercial development,” Mowery said. Miller is quoted in the Patriot-News article as saying “Everybody knows that it was, eventually, going to be commercial, it’s zoned that way.” In an article in the Harrisburg Patriot-News, Marty Miller of Miller and Associates Real Estate, which is involved in the proposal, claimed the GBPA is acting “prematurely.” Mowery said the GBPA has learned through past experience that opposition to development of historic property must be exerted at the earliest time possible. “About 20 years ago, this organization opposed construction of a supermarket that was smack-dab in the middle of the land that held Camp Letterman hospital for wounded and dying Union and Confederate soldiers,” said Mowery. “Ultimately, we learned that we couldn’t stop the development because we got involved too late in the process. “That’s not going to happen this time.” Mowery contends the land should not have been re-zoned commercial in the 1990s. “If part of Pearl Harbor was rezoned commercial, would that make it right to put a water park near the Arizona Memorial,” Mowery asked. Citizens can express opposition to the project by signing an on-line petition that can be reached through the GBPA website at www.gbpa. org. In addition, a “hard” petition can be downloaded from the site for circulation and return to the GBPA. Individuals and groups can also express direct opposition by writing to Tony M. Sanders, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Straban Township, 1745 Granite Station Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Faxes can be sent to Sanders at 717-334-0061 and his office at the township can be reached by phone at 717-334-4833. “We sincerely hope the project for this site is shelved, “added Mowery. “Development in this historic Gettysburg area should take place on non-historic sites and not on hallowed ground. “We can have both historic preservation and private development through smart planning by all parties.” Formed in 1959, the GBPA is the nation’s oldest Civil War battlefield preservation organization. President Dwight Eisenhower was an early member. Over the decades, the GBPA secured hundreds of acres of privately-owned battlefield land that is now part of the Gettysburg National Military Park.