YorksPast

This picture of Gettysburg’s Richard Neutra designed Cyclorama Building in the sights of a Civil War cannon is appropriate considering federal court clearing the way this week for the demolition of this building.  The historic building preservationists lost their long battle to save or repurpose the structure.

A week ago I wrote about a Dallastown Soldier buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery.  When I first searched for his grave location at least 15-years ago I overheard two tourists dressed in Civil War uniforms declaring, “They should have never buried non-Civil War Veterans in this cemetery, they should be on the other side of the wall.”

 

I think that soldiers who serve our country were rightfully allowed burial along the edges of the original part of the Gettysburg National Cemetery; therefore I’m not a Civil War purist in that light.  However I am in favor of the demolition of the Cyclorama Building in order to restore the Cemetery Ridge area to an appearance closer to the look during the battle; therefore I am a Civil War purist in that light.

What is your opinion on either issue?

At the same time, I’m also disappointed that the Cyclorama Building will be coming down.  I have fond memories of visiting this building as a child, not just from the historical aspect.  Yorkaire Cooling and Heating Sales Company installed the mechanical equipment in this building.  My Dad, Harold L. Smith, was an owner and General Manager of this Mechanical Contracting Company located on Whiteford Road in Springettsbury Township.

Whenever our family traveled to Gettysburg, my Dad always proudly noted their role in building the Cyclorama.  I also remember a comment by one of his business partners while I was along when they did a last minute check of their work prior to final inspection.  George Sprenkle noted something to the effect, “It’s great to work on these types of buildings; because you know your work will stand forever.”

Related Gettysburg & Lincoln posts include:

• Witness to Gettysburg Address
• President Lincoln was Interrupted Five times with Applause during his Gettysburg Address
• Find Lincoln on the Gettysburg Speakers Platform
• 1925 Article sheds light on President Lincoln photograph at Hanover Junction
• Read The Actual Article: Next-day Newspaper Coverage of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
• Dallastown Soldier buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery
• Letters to LINCOLN during the Invasion; “Burning bridges on the Northern Central”
• Looking Back on the 100th Anniversary Commemoration of The Battle of Gettysburg; Part 1
• Subsequent to the Gettysburg Address; Civil War Election of 1864
• Locomotives that pulled Abraham Lincoln through York County; Lincoln Funeral Train

This is my 109th post. An inventory of the general topics and locations that have been the subjects of my first 100 posts are presented in a 100-tile mosaic that breaks down these posts into seven general categories.

Reading the Headlines: A Quick Index to All YorksPast Posts