Demolition Begins At Gettysburg Lee’s Headquarters Site

By Leon Reed · Originally published May 2016 · p. 11

GETTYSBURG, Pa.—The Civil War Trust completed interior cleanup work and began exterior demolition of non-historic buildings on the “Lee Headquarters” site on Chambersburg Rd. in Gettysburg. The land sits on Seminary Ridge, just north of the Lutheran Seminary and was part of Lee’s command complex during the 2nd and 3rd days of the battle. It is immediately to the east of the first day’s battlefield and was occupied by Stewart’s battery and the 143rd Pa. of Stone’s brigade during the last stand of the 1st Corps on Seminary Ridge, late on the afternoon of July 1st. The 4-acre property was part of the growing tourist industry since the 1930s when tourist cabins were built on the property. Until the Trust’s purchase, the property held a 1950s motel (most recently, a Quality Inn) and a restaurant building, most recently occupied by the Appalachian Brewing Co. brew pub. The Civil War Trust purchased the property in 2013 and has spent the past 2+ years navigating federal and local historic preservation and other requirements. Land clearance started on March 21st with the demolition of the brew pub building, and the demolition of the motel itself was underway by March 30th. The Trust hopes that all clearance and redevelopment activities will be completed by late spring. The property will include a network of trails and signage to interpret both the Civil War and tourist era uses of the property. While the project is popular among many Civil War buffs, it has aroused concern within the Borough of Gettysburg. It is not universally popular even among some Gettysburg battlefield buffs, who lament the loss of a motel and restaurant and raise concern about access to the building after the renovation is complete. On a popular Gettysburg-related Facebook page called Gettysburg Past and Present, Chuck Teague, a former ranger, took issue with the sale. “The two businesses (motel and restaurant) operating there continued to be viable enterprises, which is why this was such a surprise to everyone in town. The motel had been renovated, and I heard only glowing reports from customers. It was the big bucks offered by the CWT that prompted the sale, not any distress in continuing those businesses.” Bill Sack stated “When preservation involves taking away part of a town’s personality and can cause a negative economic impact and cost jobs that is where I draw the line. In this case, all three came into play. Nobody can say, that over the years, the Quality Inn and whichever restaurant happened to occupy that building at any one time, were not part of Gettysburg’s personality and not local landmarks. They were not eyesores in the least. No matter how many times the Civil War Trust thumps their chest and exclaims how they “saved” Lee’s Headquarters, the reality is, saved from what? The Mary Thompson house was never in any imminent danger of ever being torn down or lost to history….In my opinion, part of the face of Gettysburg is forever changed with this “preservation” and not for the better. These photos sadly mark the end of an “era.” Lori Cesare Francesconi stated “as far back as I can remember that is the only place we stayed. The rooms were inexpensive, spacious and clean. Breakfast was included and a tour of the museum. You also had a nice pool, charming gift shop, and a restaurant. It was quiet and looking out of your window on the battlefield was fantastic. There is a lot of history there and so what if it is old. Isn’t that the charm of Gettysburg. It’s not New York City, where bigger, brighter, fancier and modern is necessary. It was also nice having a motel on that side of town.” She also questioned whether access to the museum will be lost. “Now that the only thing left standing there will be Lee’s Headquarters, is it going to be a museum where people can go inside, or is it just going to sit there as an empty building? I heard there is going to be a walking path there. Who is going to go on that side of town just to walk a path if you can’t go in the museum?” (All photos Leon Reed)