Evergreen Cemetery

Evergreen Cemetery is a rural burial ground on Cemetery Hill covering about 29 acres with graves marked by iron fences throughout the grounds. The site includes a historic gatehouse at the entrance and organized burial areas that reflect how cemeteries of this period were designed and maintained.

The cemetery was established in 1854 and became strategically important when Union artillery positioned itself there during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. The hilltop location played a role in the military movements of that pivotal battle.

The cemetery holds graves of people from Gettysburg's community and the battle, creating a shared resting place. Walking through, you can find the burial sites of notable residents like baseball player Eddie Plank and poet Marianne Moore alongside soldiers, showing how the place brings together local history and military memory.

Visitors can explore the grounds on their own or join guided tours to learn more about the location and the people buried there. Informational markers are placed throughout the cemetery to help you understand different sections and their historical importance.

Elizabeth Thorn, who was six months pregnant, buried about 91 soldiers on the grounds while her husband served in the Union Army. Her remarkable actions during a time of war remain a little-known part of the cemetery's story that visitors often miss.

Location: Gettysburg

Inception: 1854

GPS coordinates: 39.82080,-77.22930

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:43