The Keystone State is known for its ghostly tales, and it's not surprising that many of them originate from the haunted cemeteries in Pennsylvania. The most haunted just might be Gettysburg National Cemetery, where more than 3,500 Union soldiers have been laid to rest. Whether you believe in the paranormal, are a history buff, or just want to visit one of Pennsylvania's most beautiful cemeteries, a visit to Gettysburg National Cemetery belongs on your bucket list.
Part of Gettysburg National Military Park - the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War - Gettysburg National Cemetery is known for its rich history and as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Pennsylvania.
The National Cemetery is also the final resting place of soldiers of other wars, including the Vietnam War.
A visit is a solemn experience, after all, the cemetery and the battlefield saw the deaths of more than 10,000 Union and Confederate Soldiers, during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863.
An additional 30,000 soldiers were injured during the battle while 10,000 went missing or were captured by the other side. This photo shows some soldiers in 1910 in Gettysburg.
The death toll was so high that the battlefield became a burial ground.
Soldiers were buried in shallow graves; citizens did their best to keep track of the fallen by writing their names in pencil on wooden boards above the makeshift resting places.
However, the names on the boards eventually faded due to the weather in the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
Local residents raised the idea of a cemetery for the Union soldiers, which led to the creation of Gettysburg National Cemetery.
The Dedication of Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania took place on Nov. 19, 1863, and brought a magnificent procession of U.S. troops and civilians for this important occasion.
During the cemetery's dedication, Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address.
Lincoln is slightly left of center facing the camera, just behind the group of people, without his famous hat.
Today, visitors to the Gettysburg National Cemetery can explore the cemetery and the battlefield, both of which are said to be teeming with the paranormal.
Visitors tell of seeing orbs by the headstones in this reportedly haunted cemetery.
Some have also said they hear explosions, cannons, and gunfire in the distance, and don't be surprised if a camera stops working, another common occurrence on these hallowed grounds.
Other folks even claim to have seen soldiers marching in the distance as the sun goes down in this haunted cemetery, and have sworn they could smell smoke from gunfire.
What spirits await us on our journey to this solemn, sacred space?
We think this is possibly one of the most haunted cemeteries in Pennsylvania. Have you been to Gettysburg National Cemetery? Did you experience any paranormal occurances? Let us know in the comments below! For more information, visit the Gettysburg National Cemetery web page.
While you're in town, you might want to visit the oldest restaurant in Gettysburg. And keep the paranormal activity going with a stay at the Gettysburg Hotel.
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