Gettysburg Daily

The Gettysburg Cyclorama Building: Fencing Removed

The fencing has been removed around the Cyclorama building. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

One day we won’t have anymore posts to make about the Gettysburg Cyclorama Building. But today is not that day. In February of 2009, we documented the erection of construction fencing around the Cyclorama Building. Of course, no serious construction or demolition has occurred on the property since that posting due to the legal issues we covered in September. However, the fencing has been removed, along with the undergrowth we showed you in our last post. We will take our usual walk around the building and show you some photos during a brief lull in yesterday’s rain.

Yes, it was extremely wet out. Many of the leaves have fallen off the trees and Fall is quickly concluding. This view was taken facing southwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

With the removal of the fencing, we can get close to the building and see how it’s fared in the past year or so. This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

How many people sat on these benches over the years? This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

This view was facing north at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

How many people went on the High Water Mark Walking Tour? The marker in the right portion of this photograph … This view was facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

… provided visitors with the directions. This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

The one mile loop went south from this direction before branching off to Meade’s Headquarters and the Angle. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

And how many people walked down this ramp from the observation deck? Take a look at the water fountain in the right-hand side of this picture … This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

… Can you spot it here? This view was taken facing south circa 1961. Courtesy of the the Center for Civil War Photography, which has more than 1,000 historic Gettysburg Park images like these on their Flickr.

Just in case you were still unsure, this sign lets you know that there is a new Visitor Center and Museum, located on the Baltimore Pike. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

A few of our visitors email us whenever we report a new case of park vandalism, asking, “How do we get involved?” It turns out that information is right here on these doors. This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

It was difficult to see inside the mostly empty building due to the glare, but a portion of an exhibit is still visible. This view was taken facing southeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

From this distance, the building looks much like it used to. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

But upon closer inspection … This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

There are many places where leaks, tears, and holes are present. This view was taken facing east at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

Much of the building’s exterior simply doesn’t look too good. This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

This view was taken facing northwest at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

We mentioned in our post in September that these sliding glass doors had panes break every year due to the building settling. This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

This photograph was taken facing north circa 1970 with the caption “Foreign officers at Cyclorama Center.” See that rock wall in the background? Courtesy of the the Center for Civil War Photography, which has more than 1,000 historic Gettysburg Park images like these on their Flickr.

Here it is today. Notice anything interesting? Let’s take a closer look … This view was taken facing north at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

How about now? Okay, well, in case you missed it, a bit closer … This view was taken facing north at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

Yes, apparently these planks of wood are all that’s left to keep the building from toppling to the earth. This view was taken facing north at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

We were able to take this photo through a pane in the sliding glass door, but we had to block the glare with our hand. The center and darkest portion of the photograph is the interior ramp that led to the viewing area for the Cyclorama painting. This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

This view was taken facing west at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

Here’s one last look before we turn and head back towards the Cyclorama parking lot. This view was taken facing south at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.

Here is a view of the parking lot from the top of the Cyclorama Building. This view was taken facing northeast circa … Well, actually we’re unsure about this one. If you think you can pinpoint the date that this photograph and the photograph that follows it were taken, please contact us via our About page. Edit: Thanks to readers Doug W and Mike B for helping us date this photo as circa 1965. Courtesy of the the Center for Civil War Photography, which has more than 1,000 historic Gettysburg Park images like these on their Flickr.

And here is a view from the ground of a full Cyclorama parking lot. This view was taken facing northeast circa 1965 and is courtesy of the the Center for Civil War Photography, which has more than 1,000 historic Gettysburg Park images like these on their Flickr.

These days it is not so full. This view was taken facing northeast at approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 4, 2010.