Berdan Avenue - Cast Iron Avenue Tablet - Gettysburg National Military Park Historic District - Gettysburg, PA
N 39° 48.431 W 077° 15.387
18S E 306840 N 4408792
There are thirty-six cast iron avenue signs mounted on concrete bases that denote the names of avenues in the National Military Park. Although relatively small compared to the monuments, they still contribute to the historic district.
Waymark Code: WMEE52
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 05/14/2012
Views: 4
These cast iron tablets were erected in 1896 as the development and preservation of the park moved into full gear. There are a few dozen of these old, cast iron markers, most constructed and erected in 1896. E.B. Cope designed all of these markers as well as the tablets and historical markers, also made of cast iron. They were all constructed by War Department. The avenue markers and house markers are low to the ground, roadside and help to identify the various road systems as well as farmhouses and other physical structures and buildings which play an important role in the historic district. Each marker is painted black with white letters.
This ID tablet is just off of Southwest Confederate Avenue, on the right or west side if traveling in a southernly direction, at the entrance to Berdan Avenue. The road is rather small, leading into Pitzer woods where it makes a loop and come right back out to the main avenue. I found the 1st Regiment United States Sharpshooters, Company F monument and the Companies A, B, D, & H, US (NY) Sharpshooters Monument at the back of the road.
Berdan Avenue (Sharpshooters Avenue) was named for Colonel Hiram Berdan, commander of the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters at Gettysburg. The road is located at Seminary Ridge. and was built in 1887 and altered in 1900. The road was designer: E.B. Cope. The NPS describes the road as a carriage turn-around that measures 0.114 miles long and is 15' wide and composed of bituminous treated macadam with telford base. The road was constructed to demarcate the position of Berdan Sharpshooters sent forward to protect the advance of Sickles 3rd Union Corps toward Emmitsburg Road. Avenue and is located in Pitzer Woods and extends to West Confederate Avenue.
The Berdan Avenue - Cast Iron Avenue Tablet is a contributing feature to the Gettysburg National Military Park Historic District which is nationally significant under NR Criteria A, B, C & D. Areas of Significance: Military, Politics/Government, Landscape Architecture, Conservation, Archeology-Historic. Period of Significance: 1863-1938. The original National Register Nomination was approved by the Keeper March 19, 1975. An update to this nomination was approved by the Keeper on January 23, 2004. The monument is identified as structure number ID03.
From the Nomination Form:
Part of post-Civil War development of battlefield which now contributes to the commemorative landscape. Constructed by War Department to mark Berdan Avenue.
Short Physical Description:
Painted raised letter and border inscription tablet, 2'1"x1'8", mounted on fluted post, 3' high. Located at intersection of Berdan Avenue with West Confederate Avenue.
Long Physical Description:
N/A
My Sources
1.
NRHP Nomination Form
2.
Draw the Sword