Saturday, May 28, 2011

The Dobbin House

89 Steinwehr Avenue (Business Route 15 South)
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone:(717) 334-2100 Fax: (717) 334-6905
Website

The Dobbin House was built in 1776 and is the oldest standing structure in Gettysburg. Reverend Alexander Dobbin built the stone building for use as his family’s residence and a classical school. In the mid 1800’s, a hidden room upstairs was used to hide slaves along the Underground Railroad. During the civil war, Confederate sharpshooters used the attic to harassed Union Soldiers on Cemetery Hill and the home was converted into a field hospital during the three-day battle. Also, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address a short distance from the Dobbin House in the Evergreen Cemetery.


When you visit the Dobbin House, make sure to walk downstairs to the Springhouse Tavern. Here you can enjoy a cold draught beer or something off their colonial menu, which has an array of great sandwiches. My brother Justin always gets the French onion soup when we visit. A few weeks ago, my brother and I hiked six miles on the July 2nd battlefield and were surprised with refreshing white sangria when we arrived at the Dobbin House. So, the next time you have the urge for a drink while walking cemetery hill or ridge or just enjoying the town of Gettysburg, stop by the Dobbin House and soak up the incredible history in this beautiful building.

Why Civil Bars?

I never planned on creating another blog but my brother’s girlfriend, Joselyn, had a great idea and I could not past up the opportunity. When my brother and I plan our battlefield hiking trips, I always write up an itinerary listing the battlefields and bars that we will be visiting. When Joselyn would read all the bars on the itinerary, she would say, “Is this civil war or civil bars?” After hearing that, I started to plan a blog where I can highlight some of our favorite drinking and eating spots in historic buildings, near battlefields. So, grab a beer or mix your favorite cocktail and start planning your next civil war trip.