York Town Square

This unsung site is hardly off the beaten track, as many often-overlooked places are. But Gettysburg’s square should not be forgotten as a place to spend time on those treasured trips to the Gettysburg National Military Park and other attractions. The visitors center is now farther away from this crossroads, but remember that this part of Gettysburg saw fighting, too. And there are museums, shops linked up to the Civil War and prime restaurants within walking distance. In fact, the must-see National Cemetery, with its Lincoln connections, and nearby Ziegler’s Grove, with its Pickett Charge links, are a reasonable walk from this square, seen here from the roof of the Gettysburg Hotel. Also of interest: 6 cool, unsung York County, Pa., sites to discover and explore.

These places might be new.

Or they might be familiar and you maybe never thought of them in this way before.

They’re awaiting your visit, to give you that thrill of discovery – or rediscovery.

Check out  5 more unsung sites … .

 

This American holly tree, on the grounds of Indian Steps Museum in southeastern York County, is believed to be the largest in this latitude, according to the museum’s website. Here are its measurements: Height: 65 feet tall. Spread of branches: 65 feet. Circumference of the trunk, 76 inches.

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This is one of 18 large-scale murals that are part of the Murals of York. But this one, Community Contributors, particularly merits a visit. It will be replaced with a new design on the same Yorktowne Hotel spot, part of the Rotary Club of York’s centennial celebration. Check out this Murals of York tour.
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This museum is another site to visit that has change in its future. The West Market Street building that has housed the Police Heritage Museum for years is now part of Royal Square Development, so the museum, with its lockup seen here, will move to new quarters. Stay tuned to where that will be. (That’s museum mastermind John Stine with the saber).

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This is a free view, one of the most spectacular in York County, but it came with a cost. York County became owner of this prime turf after a protracted – an expensive – eminent domain battles. When you’re up on Highpoint, in eastern York County, you might become convinced that the effort to secure this land from development was worth the cost.

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As on the last list of cool, unsung places, we’ll end this one with an ice cream attraction. Ricki the bear, longtime resident is gone after a public nuisance suit prompted his move from this eastern Pennsylvania home. But the remaining attractions posted on this landmark Jim Mack’s Ice Cream sign, a museum piece in itself, still draws crowds.

*Photos courtesy York Daily Record/Sunday News

Also:
To see all past York Town Square posts with short descriptions, visit these archives.