The next day, Sarah and I checked into an historic hotel in the heart of Downtown Gettysburg. It was an antebellum, off-white stucco building, with maroon awnings above each window and a lit marquee over the main lobby entrance.
The story goes a gentleman by the name of John Troxell Sr. purchased the site in 1787 from the founder of Gettysburg, James Getty. He opened a tavern on the land in 1804 and dubbed it Sign of the Buck. Later on, the property became known as the Union Hotel and even acted as a hospital for civil war soldiers injured in the town’s famous battle.
After a rather lengthy stint dubbed the City Hotel, the property served for some time as an apartment complex and then a youth hostel. Finally in the 90s, the building was branded the James Gettys.
As we walked down the hallway toward the Keystone Suite, a rich sense of history coursed through the narrow corridors. Outside, museums propped up against modern boutiques in a cityscape of connected buildings. We had 24 hours left before AR, so it was time to explore. We placed our bags in the room and went to roam the town.
Sarah and I quickly learned that while entrenched in a significant past, Gettysburg’s present makeup leaned somewhat progressive. On one block, we’d walk by sprawling cemeteries marked with confederate and union tombstones. On another, we’d pull up a table at an outdoor café for craft bourbon and brew. One side of the street, crude wooden fences framed up a rolling battlefield. On the other side, comic book stores and bottle shops drew visitors with elaborate window displays. “Pro-Casino” yard signs sat in the forefront, with historic preservation placards affixed to doorframes. It was a unique setting to say the least, and in a way, made you question: “I wonder what they would think…”