Synonymous with one of the most influential battles of the Civil War, Gettysburg is a Pennsylvania borough whose history precedes it. This little town, with a population of just over 8,000, receives an estimated 1 million visitors annually at the Gettysburg National Military Park, which memorializes the three days of battle during July 1863 and President Lincoln’s famous address. But Anna Balch, a Gettysburg resident and director of hospitality and restoration at the Hartley Residence, claims there’s more to the borough than its bloodiest moment. “What’s great about Gettysburg is that you get all of the resources of a bigger town because it’s a tourist destination, but you also get the connectivity of a smaller town when the crowds leave,” she says. “It’s super walkable and has a surprisingly artsy side. The demographic skews older, but it’s also a college town, and there are even families who commute to Washington, D.C.” Although traces of the past can be found on nearly every street corner, Gettysburg is keeping with the times.
Gettysburg’s major employers span fields such as education and healthcare, with institutions such as Gettysburg College and WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital right in Downtown. Adams County is the sixth-largest producer of apples in the U.S., and some residents are employed by fruit product manufacturers such as Mott’s. Tourism also has a notable footprint in the area, thanks to the traffic around Gettysburg National Military Park.
Local cafes and boutique shops line the streets of downtown Gettysburg.
One of Gettysburg's greatest employers is WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital.
The site of the Gettysburg Address includes a full copy of the famous speech.
Gettysburg College is a private, liberal arts school with an enrollment of roughly 2,500.
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Four score and seven years ago…
The National Parks Service maintains more than 6,000 acres at Gettysburg National Military Park, keeping it as close as possible to its original Civil War battlefield landscape. In July of 1863, Robert E. Lee and his army forged above the Mason-Dixon Line into Pennsylvania in an attempt to turn the tides of the war. After three bloody days of fighting, Union soldiers successfully defended the territory and forced Lee and his infantry to retreat. Once the dust had settled, President Abraham Lincoln chose to deliver his famous Gettysburg Address at the Gettysburg National Cemetery, where thousands of Union soldiers were reburied after the battle. Today, visitors can trace this history through the sprawling park, which is home to 1,300 monuments, 400 cannons, close to 150 historic buildings and artifacts from one of the largest American Civil War collections.
Each year, on the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, thousands of tourists gather to watch Civil War reenactors perform artillery demonstrations and full-scale battle reenactments. “The Gettysburg reenactment is a huge deal,” Balch says. “Some people get really into it, but not everyone loves it because it brings in so much traffic. I heard that one year, Route 15 got so backed up with traffic that all the cars started to melt the asphalt.” Guided tours, guest lectures and kid-friendly educational activities are also held throughout the weekend.
The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum is the place to begin your visit to site.
The museum at Gettysburg National Military Park offers 22,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Thousands of Union soldiers were reburied at Gettysburg National Cemetery.
A tourist reads about the battle at Little Round Top at Gettysburg National Military Park.
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Late 18th century homes and modern developments
The homes in Gettysburg are just as historic as the area’s tourist attractions. With brick and wood Colonials constructed in the 1800s — and a few built in the late 1700s — many homes have over a century of their own history, some having borne witness to the events Gettysburg is famous for. Although its last housing boom was in the 1960s, new construction homes are still hitting the market. While New Traditional and ranch-style homes can be found on the outskirts of the city, older rowhomes and duplexes are more common Downtown. The median home price in Gettysburg is $370,000, above the Pennsylvania state median of around $315,000. Homes tend to stay on the market for about 45 days, on par with the national average of 44 days.
Classic brick Colonials are found throughout Gettysburg.
Closer to downtown Gettysburg, older rowhomes line the streets.
Further outside of downtown, subdivisons with ranch style homes are found.
New construction houses and neighborhoods are being built on the outskirts of Gettysburg.
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Local businesses and community spaces around Lincoln Square
The heart of Gettysburg is Lincoln Square, a roundabout where multiple major roads meet at the center of the city. From here, local restaurants and boutique gift shops fan out along Route 30. Many businesses in Gettysburg have a storied past, such as the Dobbin House Tavern, an American restaurant housed in the city’s oldest building. In fact, it’s believed that the old tavern was the first stop on the Underground Railroad in the North. Between the bars and cafes are historic sites and museums such as the David Wills House and the Gettysburg Museum of History, plus community arts centers like Majestic Theater and Gettysburg Community Theater. “The total gem of the city is Waldo’s & Company,” Balch says, referring to a popular nonprofit café, art studio and event space. “It’s such a great resource for artists, and it’s the sort of place you’d never expect to find in a small town like this.” Farm-fresh produce is readily available in the summertime at the Adams County Farmers Market, or year-round at local grocer Kennie’s Markets. Other shopping is just outside of the borough. “I do have to leave town for some things, typically hardware or pet supplies,” Balch says, noting that Hanover has more big-box shopping 15 miles east. “But we do have Walmart and Giant, so it’s not like you have to travel far on a daily basis.” More retailers are about 3 miles southeast at the Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg.
Gettysburg has several community arts centers, like the 100 year old Majestic Theater.
Smaller museums like the Gettysburg Museum of History can be found throughout Gettysburg.
Get some work done while sipping on some coffee at the artist friendly Waldo’s & Company.
The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg are 3 miles outside of town and offers numerous shops.
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Top public schools in Adams County, plus Gettysburg College
The city is served by Gettysburg Area School District, which Niche awards an overall B-plus grade and ranks as the top district out of six in Adams County. About 2,800 students are enrolled in Gettysburg Area Schools, with three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Lincoln Elementary and Gettysburg Area Middle are both located in the borough, while Gettysburg Area High is just north of town.
Tucked into the northwest corner of the city is the campus of Gettysburg College, a private, liberal arts school with an enrollment of roughly 2,500 undergraduate students. During the Battle of Gettysburg, the college served as a field hospital for both Confederate and Union troops. Today, it’s home to the Eisenhower Institute, a well-regarded leadership and public policy center. Also in town are the Gettysburg campuses of Harrisburg Area Community College and United Lutheran Seminary.
The city is served by Gettysburg Area School District, which Niche awards an overall B+.
Gettysburg Area High School has about 1,000 students in grades 9-12.
Gettysburg Area Middle School has 680 students in grades 6-8.
Founded in 1832, Gettysburg College is tucked away in the northwest corner of the city.
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Near major East Coast cities and U.S. Route 15
Multiple state and national highways converge in the heart of Gettysburg. U.S. Route 30 is a notable central thoroughfare that connects to U.S. Route 15 just east of town. Major East Coast cities are also within driving distance, with Washington 80 miles south, Baltimore 60 miles southeast and Philadelphia 125 miles east. The nearest international airport is even closer in Harrisburg, about 40 miles northeast. While the city itself is walkable, most residents need their cars to reach amenities just outside of town. Rabbit Transit operates four bus lines that run between Downtown, Gettysburg National Military Park and nearby shopping centers.
Decreasing crime and four distinct seasons
According to the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System, violent crime decreased by 7%, and property crime decreased by 44% between 2018 and 2023. FBI crime data shows that Gettysburg’s violent crime and property crime rates were below national and state figures in 2023.
Gettysburg has a humid continental climate, characterized by its hot summers with highs of 85°F and snowy winters with lows of 20°F. There is a moderate risk of flooding around Rock Creek and its tributary, Stevens Run.
Growing up in Carlisle and serving the community as a portrait photographer has made Bill well-connected in the Carlisle area. He is super-excited to be extending the same level of service to his real estate clients since 2013 as what he had provided through his photography studio for over 30 years.
Bill s interest in real estate grew out of the successful house flipping experiences he had shared with his brother before he became a Realtor. It was satisfying for them to transform tired old houses into fresh new homes for excited buyers. Having done the majority of the construction and marketing themselves, that knowledge has made the real estate business a great fit.
Bill attended the Alliance church for 40 years and he and his wife recently felt called to a church one block away, New Life Church, where they are serving. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and just being in the outdoors, but he also enjoys doing home projects once all the tools and materials are out. He purchased a small welder "Just to weld metal together", and is enjoying coaching his grandson's soccer team with his daughter and son in-law. He truly believes that this career in real estate is where he is called to be, and feels very blessed, as he has settled over 300 homes in his career that started in 2013 . "I couldn't have done that without my friends referring the business to me and God giving the abilities he has given me.
Voted numerous times for Best Realtor in Cumberland County, Bill treats younger clients like he would want his daughters to be treated, and serves older clients like they are his parents (or siblings). He says, "I'm more motivated by serving my clients well and with integrity WAY over making a profit. I look forward to serving you with that same integrity."
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