Gettysburg Daily

The Weikert Lane: From United States Avenue to the Wheatfield Road Part 1


The Weikert Lane has been clearly opened up between the George Weikert Farm and the John Weikert Farm. The John Weikert buildings are shown at the end of the lane. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.

The Weikert Farm Lane has now been opened between the George Weikert Farm at the junction of Sedgwick Avenue and United States Avenue and the John Weikert Farm near the Wheatfield Road. Today we show you the pathways to that area.


The red line shows the general route of the Weikert Lane. The yellow line shows where we were momentarily distracted by walking down the horse trail towards the Trostle Farm. The blue line shows the general direction to the Captain David Acheson rock. This map was made facing north at approximately 10:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


We’ll start at the George Weikert House, located at the junction of Sedwick Avenue (which becomes Hancock Avenue) and United States Avenue. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


There are three George Weikerts listed on the 1860 federal population census for Cumberland Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. This George Weikert was born circa 1807 in Maryland. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2009.


The 1860 federal population census shows that George Weikert was “white,” that he was a Farmer, and that he could not read or write. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


George Weikert lived in the same dwelling and was part of the same family with Ann M. Weikert (1808-), born in Maryland; Hannah Weikert (1846-), born in Pennsylvania; Valentine Weikert (1844-), born in Pennsylvania; Emanuel S. Weikert (1850-), born in Pennsylvania; Louisa Weikert (1851-), born in Pennsylvania. Munshower Hill is the slope upon which the sun is shining. The Round Tops are also in the left background. This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


On the 1860 federal census his real estate showed a value of $2700, and his personal estate showed a value of $500. The total of $3200 made him the 78th wealthiest person in Cumberland Township, or in the top half of residents. The average economic wealth of Cumberland Township residents in 1860 was $3031.05. Of the 1325 Cumberland Township residents, 251 showed value for either their personal estate or their real estate. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


But we need to get back to finding the Weikert Lane. It does not meet United States Avenue by the wall closest to us and to the Port O Pottie. It is the wall in the background. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


Right here. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


The horsey highway (horse trail) is the dirt road on the right. But we’re going to the left near the electrical box. The electrical box is a reminder to us of how wonderful it is that the National Park Service has buried all the utility lines that they have. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


But again, we’re taking the path on the left. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


It runs along the stone wall with the “rider rails” making the fence “pig tight and cow high.” This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


After we pass the blue stake, we have another choice. This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


The trail that we were on veers to the right towards a gap in the woods. There is a smaller path that still follows the fenceline on the left. This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2009.


The path by the fence has not been cut, and is probably the original location of the Trostle Lane… This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


… but we’re staying on the wider, clearer path on the right. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


A couple or different animals have left their tracks in the mud including deer… This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


… and horses that have not stayed on the trail built especially for them. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


Onward to the gap in the woods. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


As we approach the woods, another path is coming up. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


It’s the horsey highway. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


We will follow it towards the woods. This view was taken facing south at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


Here’s a view looking on the horse trail as it goes back to United States Avenue. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


So all three pathways meet here. The horse trail is clearly visible on the left. The walking path that we used is in the center and meets the horse trail in the area where the sun meets the shade. The small trail that followed the fence line is on the left. The George Weikert Barn is the white structure in the right background. This view was taken facing north at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2009.


We’ll continue on the horse trail towards the gap in the woods where the green grass appears to be almost like a lawn. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


The horse trail continues to the right and the Trostle Lane is the wide grass area on the left. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


We don’t want to take the horse trail. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


Our job is to stay on the nice green path. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


But for some reason we’re drawn down the horse trail to see what’s down here. This view was taken facing west at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


The buildings at the Abraham Trostle Farm are visible at the end of the path. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


So why not go a little farther? This view was taken facing north at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


And let’s face it. The worm fences that were constructed here a couple of years ago could look pretty interesting. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


Not a bad scene for a Sunday morning at Gettysburg. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


And one doesn’t see this view of the Trostle Farm very often. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.


But we need to turn around and make our way back to the Trostle Lane. This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 8:00 AM on Sunday, November 7, 2010.