Pa. preparing a Civil War trail

Associated Press Posted Monday, August 27, 2007 at 8:49 am

HARRISBURG — The state is putting together a Civil War trail that will guide history buffs and casual tourists to off-the-beaten-track sites in central Pennsylvania.

Historical markers, including photos and a narrative, will be placed at 56 locations from Waynesboro to Harrisburg as part of the project being done by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office and The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg.

Many of the sites are now unmarked, making them difficult to find said Jeb Stuart, secretary of the museum, which is providing images and stories for the markers.

Under the project called "Pennsylvania Civil War Trail: Prelude to Gettysburg," markers will be placed in places such as Fleming Farm, just outside Greencastle, where Confederate and Union soldiers first clashed in Pennsylvania; Mary Ritner's Boarding House in Chambersburg, where John Brown stayed in 1859 before his raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; and Monterey Pass near Waynesboro, where a battle was fought by 10,000 soldiers during the Confederate retreat from Gettysburg.

The museum has received $350,000 for the project, with $285,000 coming from the Ben Franklin Technology Partners and the remainder from the state's Pennsylvania Dutch Country Roads tourism promotion initiative.

The project also includes a component on Google Inc.'s Google Earth software. The software will provide panoramic images and detailed closeup views of the sites.

I read that in the newspaper today. The state has been working on the project for some time. I think the towns along the way will be trying to coordinate events on or near the specific dates they occourred in order to increase tourism. Not a bad idea all in all.

The whole Civil War Trails system is a great way to promote tourism. Everyone knows about Gettysburg, but there are many other sites that have significance in PA. I've rattled all over VA looking at obscure sites, all the while following a Virginia Civil War Trails map.
 I live in NC, and this state has seen the light, so to speak in regards to this type of tourism. Sure, we have the Smokey Mtns. and the Outer Banks for vacations, but there are folks who want to see Stoneman's Raid route or the Battle of Roanoke Island or Averasboro via the new NC Civil War Trails maps and markers.
 Last February, on a bitter cold day, a group of dedicated soldiers (including myself) dedicated 3 Civil War Trail markers in Madison Co., NC. It was so cold, I had to look at my hand to see if I had actually gotten a cap out for the volley. These were all at obscure sites, that had no real significance in the outcome of the War, but for a historically minded tourist, they were a place to visit. There were a dozen or so state tourism folks and dignitaries along for the event.My point is, every state should get on board, because Civil War tourism is a money maker.

Gregg Hensley
22nd NCST  

--Last edited by Gregg Hensley on 2007-08-28 21:02:03 --