In 1787, early European settler John Troxell bought the plot of land this hotel sits upon from Gettysburg founder James Gettys. In 1804—the very same year that Lewis and Clark began their epic journey—a local entrepreneur named George Welsh opened the Sign of the Buck tavern and roadhouse to accommodate those traveling to the western frontier of Pennsylvania and the wilds beyond.

By 1863, Gettysburg was a bustling town of 2,400 that few could have predicted would become a household name. Indeed, the events that transpired here that July forever changed the course of Gettysburg’s history—and the nation’s history. The hotel was known as the Union Hotel around the time that war came to Gettysburg’s door and, like every public building in the borough, it served as a hospital for wounded soldiers as the smoke cleared in town. Though it wasn’t called the Union Hotel for long back then, the owners thought that among the many names the hotel has had over its 200-plus-year history, this one fit their vision best.

The long history of the Union Hotel has made it a natural setting for ghost stories and local legends. With its origins dating back to the early 1800s and its role during the Civil War, many believe that the emotional intensity of the past has left a permanent mark on the building. Guests often describe an atmosphere that feels heavy, especially in the older sections of the hotel.

One of the most common stories involves the spirits of wounded soldiers who were treated inside the building during the Battle of Gettysburg. It is said that some of these men never left, their presence lingering in hallways and rooms where they spent their final hours. Visitors have reported hearing faint groans, footsteps, or the distant sounds of activity when no one else is around.

Another piece of folklore centers around shadowy figures seen moving through corridors late at night. These figures are often described as wearing clothing from another era, appearing briefly before vanishing. Some guests believe they are residual hauntings tied to the hotel's long service as a gathering place for travelers and soldiers alike.

Staff members and visitors have also shared stories of unexplained sounds such as doors opening and closing, objects being moved, and soft voices heard in otherwise empty rooms. These experiences often get dismissed as building noises, but many who have stayed overnight insist that something more unusual is at play.

Over time, the Union Hotel has become part of Gettysburg's broader haunted reputation. Surrounded by one of the most significant battlefields in American history, the hotel is often included in discussions of paranormal hotspots in the town. Whether rooted in history or imagination, the stories continue to attract curious visitors seeking a connection to the past.