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Gettysburg and Abraham Lincoln:
The Gettysburg Railroad Station:
President Lincoln arrived and departed through this station to deliver his historic Gettysburg Address.
On the evening of November 18, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln arrived at this station. His visit was occasioned by an invitation to make "a few appropriate remarks" at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery on November 19.
When Lincoln arrived in Gettysburg, he exited his railroad coach onto the platform and then passed through the station onto Carlisle Street. There he was greeted by his host, David Wills, and other dignitaries. The group walked the short distance to the Wills' house on the town square.
The next afternoon he delivered the "remarks" forever afterwards known as the Gettysburg Address. At six pm, he was back in this station to board his train for the return trip to Washington DC. Abraham Lincoln and the town of Gettysburg would forever be associated in world history with the enduring acclaim of the three-minute speech.
The old station stands today as a witness and reminder of that great event.
John Eckert, conductor for Lincoln's Train to Gettysburg:
John Eckert was the conductor on the train that carried the President and his party from Hanover Junction to Gettysburg and back. Upon his return to the Junction, Lincoln presented Eckert with a silver watch and said to him, "Mr. Conductor, I thank you for returning us safely. May God bless you. May you live long and prosper."
The Coach That Carried President Lincoln and His Party to Gettysburg?
The train coach, believed to have carried President Lincoln to Gettysburg from Hanover Junction and back remained in service on the Gettysburg and Hanover Junction line until the early 1870s. It was then sent to Baltimore and converted to a crew bunkcar. It is seen here in its last days, showing significant modifications to its original appearance. |