A building that has stood at Gettysburg’s southern gateway for about 60 years is gone. Demolition crews destroyed the Gettysburg Tour Center store and ticket counter on Baltimore Street Thursday so construction can begin on a new facility.
The Gettysburg Tour Center has operated in the same spot since the 1950s. The current building was constructed in the 1960s. Felty Investments Owner Max Felty expects the new building to open in 2024.
The tour center lacked a foundation and modern amenities, Felty said. The new building will be larger and have greater use of space, energy efficiency, and handicapped visitor accessibility, Felty said.
“I feel the timing is right for reinvestment into the business and the town. The positive return of visitation after our worst year ever in 2020 has given me confidence Gettysburg will remain a popular destination,” Felty said.
The tour center temporarily operates its retail store and ticket counter out of a temporary space located directly across the street from the construction site. Battlefield Bus Tours depart from the temporary location and the parking lot across the street.
Tour center part of Baltimore Street Revitalization
The new Tour Center is part of Gettysburg’s Baltimore Street Revitalization Project. Main Street Gettysburg is seeking a multi-million grant to install curb bump outs, bus shelters, trees, streetlights, benches, trash receptacles, bicycle racks, and parking kiosks. The road will also be repaved. Improving street drains and installing rain gardens will enhance storm water management.
“Plans for the Baltimore Street Revitalization Project have further inspired me to do my part to make sure that the first thing visitors see as they enter the borough of Gettysburg is a welcoming, attractive building situated to guide visitors to a world class experience when visiting Gettysburg,” Felty said.
Main Street Gettysburg is seeking highly-competitive federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability grants to fund the project.
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.
Too bad the tour center wasn’t gone forever. Then, the battlefield of Gettysburg could expand and recover more hallowed ground.