Evergreen Cemetery (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania)

Evergreen Cemetery is a privately-owned rural cemetery near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, with an historic gatehouse used during the Battle of Gettysburg.

History

In 1854 a group of local residents headed by attorney David McConaughy procured land on Raffensperger's Hill south of Gettysburg for the citizens' cemetery. The Evergreen Cemetery Association managed the property and oversaw selection of its caretakers (the gatehouse was the caretaker residence.) During the Battle of Gettysburg, the cemetery was damaged by incoming artillery shells, as well as traffic of thousands of men and horses during and after the fighting.

Following the battle, McConaughy procured adjacent land for the commonwealth to establish the Soldiers' National Cemetery.

Evergreen Cemetery continued to grow in size throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. It still has plots for sale.

Notable interments

Evergreen cemetery has "19 famous interments": 1812 & 1863 soldier John L. Burns, NFL lineman Steve Courson, founder James Gettys, poet Marianne Moore, Hall of Fame pitcher Eddie Plank, actor/singer Oscar Shaw, 1863 soldier Johnston Hastings Skelly, Jr, 1863 battle civilians Elizabeth C. Thorn & Jenny Wade, and 10 US congressmen.

References

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