Gettysburg National Cemetery

The cemetery sits on a gentle slope and shows graves in semicircular rows grouped around a tall granite monument. The paths lead across trimmed lawns and between low stones, all facing inward.

After a three-day battle in July 1863, this site was created as a resting place for fallen soldiers of the northern states. It was dedicated in November of the same year, while burials were still ongoing.

The name refers to a Civil War battle whose fallen soldiers rest here, while visitors today walk between the rows and sense the quiet mood. Families and school groups often read the inscriptions on the plain headstones, which are arranged in even arcs.

The cemetery is open year round and sits near the center of Gettysburg, making it easy to reach on foot. Photography for private use is allowed, but commercial shoots require a permit.

Nine hundred seventy-nine graves carry no names, as the identity of those buried there could not be determined after the battle. These nameless stones stand scattered among the other graves and recall the difficulty of identifying fallen soldiers.

Location: Adams County

Location: Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District

Inception: 1863

Part of: Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District

Website: https://nps.gov/nr/travel/national_cemeteries/pennsylvania/gettysburg_national_cemetery.html

GPS coordinates: 39.82030,-77.23140

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:25