The Gettysburg Times is a daily community newspaper serving Gettysburg and Adams County, Pennsylvania. It provides local news, sports, government coverage, business updates, obituaries, events, and historical reporting through its print edition and digital platforms.
For residents, visitors, historians, and businesses, the publication is more than a news outlet. It is a record of everyday life in a region shaped by one of the most important events in American history: the Battle of Gettysburg.
What Is the Gettysburg Times?
The Gettysburg Times is a newspaper based in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and owned by Gettysburg Times Publishing LLC, part of the Sample News Group. It publishes a six-day newspaper, with no Sunday edition, and also offers an electronic e-Edition for readers who prefer digital access.
Its official website, gettysburgtimes.com, features breaking local news, regional reporting, sports, community announcements, opinion content, classifieds, business listings, and local event information. The newspaper’s headquarters are located at 1570 Fairfield Road in Gettysburg.
Readers use the Gettysburg Times to stay informed about:
- Local government and public safety
- Schools and education
- Community events and festivals
- Local sports teams and athletes
- Business openings and economic development
- Obituaries and community milestones
- Gettysburg battlefield history and heritage stories
A Brief History of the Gettysburg Times
The Gettysburg Times has deep roots in Pennsylvania journalism. Although it was founded in 1902 as The Progress, it is also connected to earlier Adams County newspapers that date back to 1800.
The newspaper’s earliest predecessor, the Adams Centinel, was established in November 1800 by Robert Harper and became the first newspaper in Adams County. Over time, several local publications merged or were acquired, eventually contributing to the newspaper identity that became the Gettysburg Times.
Key historical milestones include:
- 1800: The Adams Centinel becomes Adams County’s first newspaper.
- 1902: Madison Alexander Garvin launches The Progress.
- 1905: The publication is renamed The Gettysburg Times.
- 1920: The Times and News Publishing Company acquires the Star and Sentinel.
- 1961: The Star and Sentinel ceases weekly publication.
- 2013: The Sample News Group acquires the newspaper from the Jones family.
This long publishing history makes the Gettysburg Times an important local institution. It has documented generations of community change, from the growth of Gettysburg itself to the preservation and interpretation of its Civil War heritage.
Why the Gettysburg Times Matters
Gettysburg is internationally known for its battlefield, monuments, museums, and role in the Civil War. Yet the people who live in Adams County also need reliable coverage of issues that affect daily life: housing, schools, roads, public safety, local elections, agriculture, tourism, and economic development.
The Gettysburg Times fills that role by focusing on stories that larger regional or national outlets may overlook. Recent coverage has included school district decisions, local housing plans, county grants, community festivals, public safety reports, tourism growth, and profiles of residents serving their communities.
Local Accountability
Community journalism helps residents understand what local officials are doing and how public decisions may affect them. Coverage of borough councils, school boards, county commissioners, zoning issues, and public safety matters gives citizens information they can use to participate in civic life.
Community Connection
The newspaper also serves as a shared community space. It publishes property transfers, community news, event announcements, fundraisers, reunions, and local achievements, helping neighbors stay connected across Gettysburg, Littlestown, Fairfield, Biglerville, New Oxford, and other Adams County communities.
Preservation of Local History
Because Gettysburg’s identity is closely tied to history, the Gettysburg Times plays a special role in documenting commemorations, museum developments, battlefield-related programs, and heritage tourism. Its reporting helps connect present-day residents and visitors with the area’s historical legacy.
What Readers Can Find on GettysburgTimes.com
The Gettysburg Times website is designed to serve both print subscribers and online readers. It offers a mix of timely reporting and evergreen community resources.
Local News
The local news section covers stories from across Adams County, including municipal government, education, crime and courts, infrastructure, housing, public health, and community initiatives.
Examples of topics commonly covered include:
- School district programs and construction projects
- Borough and township government decisions
- Local housing developments
- County grants and public improvements
- Police and emergency-services reports
- Community organizations and nonprofit initiatives
Sports Coverage
Local sports remain a major interest for families, students, and alumni. The Gettysburg Times covers high school athletics, community sports, and regional competitions, giving local athletes and teams visibility that national sports outlets cannot provide.
Events and Entertainment
The publication highlights local events such as festivals, concerts, theater productions, historical programs, holiday activities, and seasonal celebrations. This makes it a useful resource for residents planning their week and visitors looking for things to do in Gettysburg.
Business and Classifieds
The Gettysburg Times also supports the local economy through business coverage, advertising opportunities, and a business directory. Local businesses can reach customers who are actively looking for restaurants, hotels, services, coupons, and entertainment in the Gettysburg area.
Obituaries and Community Records
Obituaries, property transfers, court notices, and community announcements remain important newspaper services. They provide official and personal records that help families, researchers, and longtime residents stay informed.
Gettysburg Times and the Gettysburg Tourism Economy
Tourism is central to Gettysburg’s economy. The town attracts visitors interested in Civil War history, battlefield tours, museums, ghost tours, historic architecture, and seasonal events. The Gettysburg Times covers this tourism ecosystem closely.
Recent reporting has highlighted growth in local lodging performance, including increases in occupancy and revenue per available room. The newspaper also covers major attractions and events that bring visitors to Adams County, such as the National Apple Harvest Festival and battlefield commemorative programs.
For tourism businesses, appearing in or advertising with the Gettysburg Times can be valuable because the publication reaches an audience already interested in the region. For visitors, it offers a practical way to discover local events, restaurants, museums, and seasonal activities.
Print and Digital Access
The Gettysburg Times offers both traditional print delivery and digital options. Its e-Edition allows readers to view the newspaper electronically, while the website provides updated stories, local alerts, and community features.
The publication also offers email updates, including daily news headlines through services such as GOOD MORNING GETTYSBURG!!!, helping readers start their day with local information.
Readers can contact the newspaper at:
- Address: 1570 Fairfield Road, P.O. Box 3669, Gettysburg, PA 17325
- Phone: 717-334-1131
- Email: customerservice@gettysburgtimes.com
Who Should Read the Gettysburg Times?
The Gettysburg Times is useful for several audiences:
The Role of Community Newspapers Today
In an era dominated by national headlines and social media, local newspapers remain essential. They report on the issues closest to people’s lives: the school budget, the new housing development, the local festival, the high school championship, and the neighbor who received a community award.
The Gettysburg Times demonstrates why local journalism still matters. It combines practical news coverage with a strong sense of place, helping preserve the civic and cultural identity of Gettysburg and Adams County.
For anyone who wants to understand what is happening in Gettysburg beyond the battlefield, the Gettysburg Times is one of the most direct and trusted windows into the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gettysburg Times?
The Gettysburg Times is a daily newspaper serving Gettysburg and Adams County, Pennsylvania. It covers local news, sports, community events, business, obituaries, and regional issues.
Is the Gettysburg Times published every day?
It is published six days a week. It does not publish on Sundays, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day.
Where is the Gettysburg Times located?
The newspaper is based at 1570 Fairfield Road in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Does the Gettysburg Times have a website?
Yes. Its official website is gettysburgtimes.com, where readers can access news, the e-Edition, events, classifieds, and subscription information.
How old is the Gettysburg Times?
The Gettysburg Times was founded in 1902 as The Progress and renamed The Gettysburg Times in 1905. Its journalistic roots extend back to Adams County newspapers founded in 1800.
Who owns the Gettysburg Times?
The newspaper is owned by Gettysburg Times Publishing LLC and is part of the Sample News Group.
Conclusion
The Gettysburg Times is a vital local news source for Gettysburg and Adams County, Pennsylvania. With more than a century of publishing history, strong community coverage, and both print and digital access, it continues to connect residents, businesses, visitors, and history lovers to the people and events that shape the region.
Whether you are looking for breaking local news, high school sports, community events, business information, or stories connected to Gettysburg’s remarkable past, the Gettysburg Times remains a valuable resource for staying informed and engaged.