As reported by: Post Gazette
A new front opened up yesterday in the "second battle of Gettysburg,'' as a preservation group put the Civil War battlefield at No. 1 on a list of endangered historic places because of an effort to build a $200 million slots casino nearby.

"It wasn't a difficult decision to put the Gettysburg battlefield at the top of our 'at risk' list," said Mindy Higgins, executive director of Preservation Pennsylvania, which is based in Harrisburg but covers historic buildings throughout the state.

"Overwhelmingly the Gettysburg battlefield is the historic site that we get the most phone calls and e-mails about, with everyone saying please save it."

She's getting help from out-of-state groups such as the Civil War Preservation Trust, the National Trust for Historic Places and the National Parks Conservation Association.

"You couldn't find a more inappropriate place to put a casino than a solemn, singular place like Gettysburg," said Joy Oakes of the parks association.

"Travelers are hungry for historic meaning and authenticity, and Gettysburg is the real deal,'' she added. "What the casino developer is trying to do is to capitalize on the tourist appeal of Gettysburg. He's trying to commit 'brand larceny,' with Gettysburg being the brand. It's a place that has meaning to a lot of people."


Article By: Post Gazette