Back in 2005 a group of developers made a strong push to open up a casino near the city of Gettysburg Pennsylvania. After a tough fight from many historical preservation groups this plan was defeated. Well the same developers are proposing to build a casino again. This time even closer to the historical battlefield sites in Gettysburg. Click on map to view proposed casino site.This proposed casino site is opposed by many historical preservation groups: Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT), National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP), Preservation Pennsylvania. They recently drafted a letter in opposition to this proposed casino plan.
Preservation Groups Declare Opposition to New Gettysburg Casino Proposal
Proposal poses direct threat to National Park and America's most famous small town
(Gettysburg, Pa.) - In a letter dated January 26, 2010, a coalition of state and national preservation groups conveyed to Adams County, Pa., businessman David LeVan their decision to oppose his effort to open a casino a half-mile to the south of Gettysburg National Military Park. In the letter, the Civil War Preservation Trust, National Parks Conservation Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Pennsylvania cited the location's proximity to the battlefield as a direct threat, noting that the potential development and traffic impacts place the National Park at further risk. [read more]
If the casino plan comes to pass years from now Gettysburg could end up just like Charlestown West Virginia. I have driven through Charlestown several times in the past couple of years and the only remarkable thing about this city is the amount of signage and billboards dedicated to lure people into the race track and gambling. All of the historical significance of this city has been forgotten other than a footnote on Wikipedia. They also have the most obnoxious radio ads promoting Charlestown Races and Slots. I would hate to see this happen to historical site and city like Gettysburg.
If you oppose the construction of a casino near one of our most famous Civil War heritage sites. Please sign the petition.
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