American Civil War Game Club (ACWGC)

ACWGC Forums

* ACWGC    * Dpt. of Records (DoR)    *Club Recruiting Office     ACWGC Memorial

* CSA HQ    * VMI   * Join CSA    

* Union HQ   * UMA   * Join Union    

CSA Armies:   ANV   AoT

Union Armies:   AotP    AotT

Link Express

Club Forums:     NWC    CCC     Home Pages:     NWC    CCC    ACWGC
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 9:36 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Thu Jul 04, 2019 8:21 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:50 am
Posts: 59
Location: Texas
Gentleman,

I will be going back to Gettysburg at the end of August for the first time since my college days back in 1978. Really looking forward to it. Being a country boy from Texas, I want to tour the battlefield on horseback. I see that there are two different companies that offer a two hour horseback tour. Anybody have a recommendation of one over the other?

Appreciate any feedback I can get, also any suggestions on where to stay overnight.

Thanks again in advance.

Maj Gen Gary Krenek

_________________
Lt Gen Gary Krenek
I Corps, Commanding
ANV


http://wargame.ch/board/acwgc/download/ ... 519280.jpg


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 12:13 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2018 2:55 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Texas, USA
A good Texas boy would just rent a horse and take his own tour, LOL. I've wanted to do that too. I can't make a recommendation, but having read the tours, I think they are pretty tame. They stay on trails and don't go off on tangents.

By the way, I am originally from Philly, lived in Texas since '81. Been to Gettysburg 3 times. First time I was 12 and was picked up by Gettysburg PD for being in the town Square at midnight. We went AWOL from a boy scout camp. Opps!

The horseback tour is one my bucket list.

_________________
Col. Frank Freeman
3rd Infantry Division
3rd Infantry Brigade
V Corps
Army of the Potomac


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 9:18 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 9:52 am
Posts: 2469
Location:
I don't have any recommendations for the horseback tour companies, as I don't ride unfortunately, but I'll stop by again tomorrow with some thoughts on hotels. I can tell you this the horseback rides do look fun and they have the corral along the Seminary Ridge area. They always look great when I see them ride out and across the battlefield towards the Union lines. It is a very tiny look into what one might've seen. I'm not sure where the other trails are, but I'm sure you've seen them on the company websites already.

The visitor's center has a lot on display now compared to the old one. The gift shops in town have changed a lot, even in the past few years, especially right by the Cemetery Hill area on Steinwehr Ave. Don't worry for those who are fond of it, Pickett's Buffet is still there! 8) There's some other things to note, which I'll do tomorrow. Got to turn in for the night soon.

_________________
General Scott Ludwig
4/II/ANV


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Mon Jul 08, 2019 5:31 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue May 22, 2001 7:49 pm
Posts: 461
Location: USA
Do you have links for those companies? I would be very interested in that...

_________________
LGen. Hamilton
II Corps
ANV, CSA


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Jul 11, 2019 2:15 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:50 am
Posts: 59
Location: Texas
Rich,

Links to the two tours are as follows:

https://confederatetrails.com/

and

https://www.hickoryhollowfarm.com/

Not sure which would be better, but leaning to the one with "confederate" in its name for obvious reasons :-)

Are you planning on going to Gettysburg anytime soon? I will be there in mid August, and will do one or the other. Can let you know what I think of the one I pick.

And Scott, any advice you can share on a Gettysburg trip would be appreciated.

Gary

_________________
Lt Gen Gary Krenek
I Corps, Commanding
ANV


http://wargame.ch/board/acwgc/download/ ... 519280.jpg


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 9:29 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue May 22, 2001 7:49 pm
Posts: 461
Location: USA
Thanks for the links Gary, won't be going any time soon, but nice to know of this option!

_________________
LGen. Hamilton
II Corps
ANV, CSA


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 11:56 am 
Offline

Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 9:52 am
Posts: 2469
Location:
Sorry it has taken me a while to chime back in Gary. Below are two photos I happened to take on last Thursday (which was the last time anyone could go outside around here :shock: 8) ) but they are of the bridle trail itself as it crosses the Emmitsburg Road not far from the Klingel Farm. This is the part of the trail from the Confederate Lines, past the Henry Spangler Farm and crossing at near this photo and down toward the Trostle Farm.

Image

Trail by the Emmitsburg near the Klingel, after coming up from the Henry Spangler Farm, looking towards the Union Lines.


Image

Trail after crossing the Emmitsburg with the Union lines & PA Memorial in the background. I am standing on Sickles Road and the Klingel Farm is behind me. With good eyes one can barely see the Codori Farm barn midway down the left edge of the photo. I took these pretty much at dusk, so they're not great, but I do have others I'll track down.

I got to take a break from the PC, but will post more later.

_________________
General Scott Ludwig
4/II/ANV


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 4:21 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 9:52 am
Posts: 2469
Location:
So I knew I had photos of a riding group out on the bridle trail and I found them! The below shows the riding group past the Henry Spangler Farm and almost to the Emmitsburg Road and the area where I took the above photos. In these I am by Ashland/Woolfolk's (Virginia) Battery and were taken two days shy of a year ago.

Image

This is from near Ashland/Woolfolk's (Virginia) Battery and it shows an actual riding group going out. I knew I had photos of them somewhere. This is the full image.


Image

The riding group itself. They are a past the Spangler Farm at this point and almost to the Emmitsburg Road.


Image

Again a view where you can a number of spots, some of which I've marked.

In order to not clutter up this post, I've posted more photos on the actual bridle trail at the Spangler Farm and also just south of it by Blount's (Virginia) Battery as well as these photos here: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21304

I'll chime back in a bit with hotels, places eat/see, stores/gift shops etc.

_________________
General Scott Ludwig
4/II/ANV


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 2:21 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:50 am
Posts: 59
Location: Texas
Thanks for the pics Scott. Horse tour booked for me and my two buddies that are going with me.

Any help on places to stay, and anything else (from you or anyone else that would care to chime in) would be appreciated.

As a side note, I see that temps in Gettysburg area have been in mid 90's this past week. Compared to Texas, looking forward to getting to PA and some of that cool type weather :D

Gary

_________________
Lt Gen Gary Krenek
I Corps, Commanding
ANV


http://wargame.ch/board/acwgc/download/ ... 519280.jpg


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2019 9:58 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 9:52 am
Posts: 2469
Location:
Hey Gary,

Sorry it has taken me a moment to reply. I have not stayed at any hotels etc in Gettysburg, but here's a mostly comprehensive list of the hotels/motels/historic places to stay in the immediate Gettysburg area:

Closest to Pickett's Charge/the Angle area - Best Western Gettysburg (I also think this is the newest hotel) - https://www.gettysburgbestwestern.com


Nearby on Steinwher Ave & Cemetery Hill:

Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield - https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvan ... ource=gyxt

Colton Motel

Budget Host Three Crowns Motor Lodge - http://budgethost.com/hotels/Budget_Hos ... rg_PA.aspx

Inn at Cemetery Hill - http://innatcemeteryhill.com

1863 Inn Of Gettysburg - https://www.1863innofgettysburg.com

Comfort Suites Near Gettysburg Battlefield Visitor Center - Just behind Cemetery Hill and Culps Hill on the Baltimore Pike - https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvan ... ource=gyxt

Gettystown Inn-Dobbin House - http://dobbinhouse.com

Farnsworth House Inn (Heading towards center of town) - http://www.farnsworthhouseinn.com



In or Nearby the Circle

Gettysburg Hotel - https://www.hotelgettysburg.com

The Inn at Lincoln Square - http://www.innatlincolnsquare.com

James Gettys Hotel - https://www.jamesgettyshotel.com

The Swope Manor - http://theswopemanor.com

Federal Pointe Inn, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member (At the split in the road towards McPherson's Farm) - https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvan ... ource=gyxt




Down the Emittsburg Road (just south of the battlefield)

Eisenhower Hotel & Conference Center - http://www.eisenhower.com



On Route 97 (Baltimore Pike) right at the Route 15 exits for 97. Just Southeast of the Culp's Hill area.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Gettysburg - https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/h ... US-_-GTYOM

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gettysburg, PA - https://www.countryinns.com/gettysburg- ... AGETTY-gmb



On Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) Heading East of town towards York

President Inn & Suites - http://www.presidentinnsuites.us/

Quality Inn & Suites - https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvan ... ource=gyxt

Days Inn by Wyndham Gettysburg - https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/ ... a=00093796

Econo Lodge - https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvan ... ource=gyxt

Hilton Garden Inn Gettysburg - https://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/ ... HI-MDTGHGI

Hampton Inn Gettysburg - https://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotel ... HP-GETPAHX

Super 8 by Wyndham Gettysburg - https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/super-8/g ... a/overview

Courtyard by Marriott Gettysburg - https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ ... ba596febe2

Wyndham Gettysburg - https://www.gatewaygettysburg.com

Sleep Inn & Suites - https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvan ... ource=gyxt


There is also the Cashtown Inn http://www.cashtowninn.com and for almost literally John Bell Hood's arm & leg the Inn at Herr Ridge http://www.innatherrridge.com (I include this as mostly a joke due to the high rate of the place! Also their fun little two traffic light setup there as well!)

There's a number of bed and breakfasts as well in the area.

Maybe folks who have stayed at any of these can chime in too.

_________________
General Scott Ludwig
4/II/ANV


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sun Jul 28, 2019 6:27 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2003 9:52 am
Posts: 2469
Location:
In terms of museums and stuff like that, a lot has changed in the last 10 years or so. Some of my favorites & fun ones over the years are gone. The Wax Museum with the large anamatronic Pickett's Charge and other scenes is gone, the National Soldiers Orphan Homestead (Soldier's National Museum) with it's various dioramas and orphan in the well, the Hall of Presidents and First Ladies and the Gettysburg Dime Museum, which I had never been to. There has been a large dearth in some parts of the 'museum' experiences outside of the official/big ones, like the visitors center, the Eisenhower National Historic Site, the Jennie Wade house etc. It is not all bad though, as there's some cool new places to see now.

The Wax Museum as replaced by the ​Gettysburg Heritage Center - https://www.gettysburgmuseum.com (I have not done anything here yet, because I was rather put off by the Wax Museum's closing, but I'm sure I'll come around and go to it some time).

Lincoln Train Museum - http://www.lincolntrain.com (It's still there!)

Gettysburg Museum of History - https://www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com (I have not gone here yet)


Gettysburg Foundation - http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org - They work in conjunction with the Park Service for the Cyclorama, the Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War (Museum Experience) and a film 'A New Birth of Freedom' narrated by Morgan Freeman, the Eisenhower National Historic Site (you take the shuttle from Visitor Center now, you can just drive up anymore), the David Wills House, the Rupp House History Center and one of their newer additions, which I want to see soon, the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital - https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/ge ... ngler-farm

The Gettysburg Museum of the American Civil War (Museum Experience) is really large, it has been a while since I toured it, but the physical space of the "new" visitors center has allowed a lot more to be displayed, which is nice. The Cyclorama is now eye level, so you don't have to strain your neck looking up, but your view may be blocked. If interested, ask them at the ticket counter if they allow you to come back and look at it/take photos when there isn't a presentation going on. They did this years ago for us, but I haven't went since.

Seminary Ridge Museum - http://seminaryridgemuseum.org or https://www.facebook.com/SeminaryRidgeMuseum/ - This one I want to do in the fall. It looks like a great opportunity. It's in the Lutheran Theological Seminary building. They have a museum, but you can also go up into the cupola. It looks a little bit pricey, but it's something different. I don't think the view can beat the Longstreet Tower's view, but it is an alternative and I assume covers some other views of the battlefield, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chambersburg Road.

The Gettysburg Diorama - https://www.gettysburgdiorama.com - This one I have gone to multiple times, I believe it used to be on the Baltimore Pike across the street from where the Comfort Suites is. Now it is on Steinwehr Ave, but I can't recall off the top of my head what used to be in the building where the Diorama is now. If the two buddies you're going with are really into the Civil War/Gettysburg as well, this is always a good stop. I forget how long the presentation is, but it is a decent amount of time. Maybe you went to it during your visit in the 70's.

Civil War Tails at the Homestead Diorama Museum - https://civilwartails.com or https://www.facebook.com/civilwartails/ - This is a new one and it occupies part of the old National Soldiers Orphan Homestead. It is two sisters who started/run it, both very knowledgeable on the war. They made this is unique museum as it combines their love of history/the Civil War and their enjoyment of animals, in this case cats. They use clay diorama design, but instead of humans, cats are the figures. Everything else is Civil War related and researched. Hands down one of the best recent (and much needed) additions to the museum aspect of Gettysburg. They apparently are still working on a large display of Little Round Top, that is a 1 for 1 showing of the action in it. When we went in 2017, they had kepis in a small cup that they were using very fine brushes to paint the Corps emblems on top of.

Horse Soldier - http://www.horsesoldier.com - The well known Military Antiques dealer, right by the National Cemetery and the intersection of Steinwehr Ave and South Washington St, even though it is a store it is also one hell of a museum. Though it covers different eras, the main focus is the ACW. Also for historic gun lovers and Texans alike, they have a lot of firearms (revolver and rifles) on the walls. If you go in, be prepared to kill some time here. Got $65,000 to own a completely identified Birney Zouave uniform http://www.horsesoldier.com/products/id ... cloth/9746


In terms of other shops & gift shops the majority are still in the main hubs they have always been. On Steinwehr Ave from the Pickett's Charge area all the way up to where it ends at Baltimore Street and around the center of town, branching off from the circle area. A lot of this end of the Gettysburg tourism market has seen upheaval, especially in the last few years as Gettysburg has been trying to widen the market. Steinwehr Ave has taken a lot of hits (pun intended I think) with the various miniatures and ACW related gift type stores it had, which I think were the largest turnover in the gift shop/tourism trade in Gettysburg. It is a good thing in a way, as there are a lot of different types of stores now, but it can be a sad thing too if you liked these types of places. Overall though there are still options and there are a lot of neat new places, especially if folks are traveling with families etc. Gary - you and your friends could go to the hot sauce place that is up towards the top of Steinwehr Ave and Baltimore Street to have a good Texas chuckle at what they're offering! :P I am not a hot sauce person, so I have no idea what they may offer.


More Steinwehr Ave:

A Lil Somethin' Gettysburg - http://www.gettysburgstore.com - a neat place that sells a lot of local made salsas, dips etc. You can taste test a number of them in store! :)

A few stores run by a family are listed here - https://www.civilwarstuff.com/locations ... ysburg-pa/

The Regimental Quartermaster - https://regtqm.com/home/ - Famous reenactor Sutler and other neat items as well.

Irish Brigade Gift Shop - http://www.irishbrigadegiftshop.com/index.html (Yup it's still here!)

Gettysburg Miniature Soldiers - https://www.gettysburgminiaturesoldiers.com - One of the few good Miniatures stores left.



Near the circle/center of town area:

S & W Coins LLC - one of the few coin places left. One of the others on Steinwehr Ave just went out and is now a Vape shop.

Union Cigar Club

The House of Time, Inc. - https://www.gettysburgantiquewatches.com or https://www.facebook.com/houseoftime.gettysburg/ - Neat store. Has a variety of items, some very, very old.

(The well known) Union Drummer Boy - https://uniondb.com

Carver's Toy Trains - is off towards the McPherson Farm area.



On Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) Heading East of town towards York:

Rebels Roost Antique Emporium - https://www.rebelroostantiques.com - This is a neat place. Not all ACW related and is a lot of antiques at large, they do have a number of neat items. They also have a fair amount of spaces in their store, so there's a lot of random corners of things. I'd say if you're out that way and want to stop, do so, but if you're pressed for time and only want to do a few shops, it is a bit out of the way. I did see in a section some familiar HPS & Talonsoft games for sale though! :P



Art:

King James Galleries - https://kingjamesgalleries.com or https://www.facebook.com/KingJamesGalleriesofGettysburg - A lot of the big names.

Gallon Historical Art (Dale Gallon) - https://www.gallon.com

Gettysburg Frame Shop & Gallery - https://gettysburgframeandgallery.com or https://www.facebook.com/gettysburgframeshop - A place to 'Bag the Whole Crowd' so to speak of the ACW artists.

Lord Nelson's Gallery - https://www.lordnelsons.com - For mostly Colonial and Early American (Including FIW, American Rev etc) art, this is the place in town that has it. A bit pricey, but unframed isn't a huge expense.


One of the stores I tend to go to more is the The Antique Center of Gettysburg - http://www.antiquecenter-getty.com or https://www.facebook.com/AntiqueCenterOfGettysburg/ They have a variety of items. A lot of militaria, like Horse Soldier, but from a variety of eras. It is a true antiques operation in that individual dealers/sellers rent the spaces in the store. They do have a lot of miniatures, though one of the big dealers is downsizing, I consider it one of the best places in town for this. They also have a lot of books. They have old ones, but they also have several sections of books that are reasonably priced for a lot of Civil War authors/historians. Take cash if you can, because a lot of the dealers offer discounts for cash paying customers. The display cases indicate all the discounts a dealer has going and the owners of the Center have the information as well. They do a good job at this place and I've been meaning to go get more books here.

The Antique Center also has a section in it for Rock Top Book Shop and Bindery. This store is in Cashtown and I have yet to successfully get to it. They have limited hours and it might be good to call ahead to see if they're open. They're pretty new to the location, but moved from other operations they ran: https://rocktopbookshop.com and https://www.facebook.com/historyandartandcrafts/


In general:

Destination Gettysburg - https://www.destinationgettysburg.com/index.asp or https://www.facebook.com/destinationgettysburg - Has done a good job at being a centralized PR arm for the variety of things/activities to do in and around Gettysburg. I mention it for anyone who happens to be interested.

Also Mr G's Ice Cream is very good and of course the Garryowen Irish Pub is always a classic! Also Food 101 might not be for everyone, but they do offer some healthier alternatives, while still have some good standards as well. Food is subjective though, so to each their own. :)

Be sure to check out the work the American Battlefield Trust (Formerly CWT) did to restore Lee's Headquarters at the Widow Thompson house. We've gone there multiple times and it looks awesome! Also the NPS did some rework of Bushman Hill and did a reinstallation of the artillery on it with a video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvvpq8MGocw Also some years back they acquired Power Hill's and reworked the terrain there with monuments and cannons. I have yet to get here either, despite driving past it.

Lastly, one also can't go wrong with Stone Sentinels - http://gettysburg.stonesentinels.com a neat site for a brushup on what/where many of the monuments etc are. Winter time did allow me & a friend to find this one: http://gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/mo ... ry-fuller/ Gary - Y'all from Texas probably have snake boots, so you could find it too I'm sure, just have plenty of bug spray for ticks etc. Tick season has been rough here this year. Not sure if they are a thing in Texas or not. These two sites are interesting too: http://battleofgettysburgbuff.com/index.htm and https://www.gettysburgdaily.com/battlefield-guides/ I've been into looking for the more esoteric battlefield aspects these days.

I hope some of this is useful for your trip Gary and if you're interested I'd be happy to stop on up briefly to meet you and your friends.

I also hope that this might be useful to others as well.

Oh and as for the heat, not quite sure where you're from in Texas there Gary, but it ain't no dry heat up here! :D When it's 115 with the humidity, you can taste the air! :shock: :) As my wife said, just breath it in and out! 8)

_________________
General Scott Ludwig
4/II/ANV


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Sat Aug 03, 2019 7:41 am 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:50 am
Posts: 59
Location: Texas
Scott,

Thanks for all the info, makes me realized that we screwed up by only allowing 2 days in Gettysburg. Will definitely have to plan a return trip.

Would be great if he could meet you there - if nothing else, we owe you a beer (or two or three :) ) for all the work you did in gathering all the info that you did. I will be in contact via email shortly.

Thanks again.

Gary

_________________
Lt Gen Gary Krenek
I Corps, Commanding
ANV


http://wargame.ch/board/acwgc/download/ ... 519280.jpg


Top
 Profile Send private message  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 85 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group