Union Hotel Gettysburg
Location submitted by: sdonley on 06/11/2019 DBA Approved: Y
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27 Chambersburg St
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Open to the public: Yes
https://www.unionhotelgettysburg.co...
Lat: 39.8311427
Lon: -77.2322976
PANICd#: 2034
Publication date: 01/05/2025 Last visited: 07/14/2018In 1787, early European settler John Troxell bought the plot of land this hotel sits upon from Gettysburg founder James Gettys.
Database Summary:
Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 1
Claims: 5
Evidence: 0
Resources: 3
Retrievals: 45603
Vistor Rating: 0.0
Votes: 0
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History
History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.
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.
Added by: sdonley on 01/05/2025
DB#:670
Source(s):
https://www.unionhotelgettysburg.com/hotel-history...
Stories & Folklore
Stories & Folklore are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location and passed down from generation to generation. This section could also contain research notes as well.
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.
Added by: sdonley on 04/11/2026 DB#: 1853
Source(s):
Various Sources
Paranormal Claims
Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.
| Claim # | Added | Added By | Claim |
| 3535 | 01/05/2025 | sdonley | Sound of room doors slamming |
| 3536 | 01/05/2025 | sdonley | Sounds of someone walking around the rooms. |
| 3537 | 01/05/2025 | sdonley | Civil War Soldier in the basement. |
| 3538 | 01/05/2025 | sdonley | Room that locks guests in. |
| 3539 | 01/05/2025 | sdonley | Whispers have been heard saying hello |
Additional Resources
This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.
| Trip Advisor Questions and Answers
Added: 12/16/2024 By: sdonley |
Information on paranormal claims by those who stayed at the hotel. |
| The Union Hotel – Gettysburg’s Finest Address
Added: 04/11/2026 By: sdonley |
The Union Hotel offers distinctive style, luxury amenities, warm hospitality, and unparalleled convenience in the most historic town in America. |
| The Union Hotel
Added: 04/11/2026 By: sdonley |
Destination Gettysburg Listing |


