August 9-19, 2019

Codorus State Park

Hanover, PA

Part 1-Heritage Rail Trail Bike ride and Eisenhower National Historic Site.

  Once again I have to say I am impressed with the Pennsylvania State Parks we have explored and or camped at including Codorus State Park in Hanover. 

Our site, #163 in the D section was large and level. 

It is very rare to pull into a site and not need to place leveling blocks under our tires.

We especially enjoyed our daily morning visits by the resident groundhogs and deer.

Our first outing during our eleven day stay at the park was to the Heritage Rail Trail.  The trail is 21 miles long and running from Maryland up to York, PA. 

 We began our ride at the Hanover Junction Trail Station. 

 

 The trail was mostly shaded but did meander through some open areas.

 

 

 

 

At the conclusion of our ride we took a walk through the small museum detailing the history of the Trail Station.  The station was built in 1852.  Included in the historical importance of the station is that Abraham Lincoln traveled through Hanover Junction to and from ceremonies for the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Readers of my blog know by now that I am very interested in history.  I usually plan where we are going to stay and the route we take around the historical significance of the area.  I chose Codorus State Park because of its close proximity to the Eisenhower National Historic Site. 

 The only way to tour the site is by shuttle bus from Gettysburg National Military Park where the $9 tickets are sold in the Visitor Center.

  We had already toured Gettysburg NMP back in 2014 so when we entered the visitor center to purchase our tickets to the Eisenhower NHS we didn’t stay to look at the exhibits.

Once we departed the shuttle bus at the farm we began our tour at the small reception center that contains exhibits that trace Eisenhower’s life from boyhood in Abilene through his 38 years in the military, to his presidency and retirement.  We also watched a short video on Eisenhower’s life.

 

 

Originally the barn's milk house, this building was established as an office for President Eisenhower's Secret Service detail in 1955.  During the presidential years, one of the 8-10 agents who worked each shift would be stationed in the office to monitor the alarm control panel and radio communications equipment.  The agents left the farm at the end of Eisenhower's presidency, but returned in 1965 after Kennedy's assassination prompted legislation providing protection to former presidents. 

 

The Eisenhowers owned only one home, their Gettysburg farm which they purchased in 1950. 
The farm served as a weekend retreat for the President and a meeting place for world leaders, and became the Eisenhowers’ home after they left the White House in 1961.

The family donated the home to the National Park Service in 1967 with lifetime living rights for the former president.  Eisenhower died two years later at the age of 78.  Mamie lived on the farm until her death in 1979.

The Eisenhower’s purchased the farm and its 189 acres for $40,000.  Many of the building had to be torn down due to deterioration.  The restoration of the house cost $250,000.

Much of the expense was due to the employment of union labor for workmen who came every day from Washington, D.C. some 75 miles away. 

The self-guided house tour begins in the formal living room that reflected the stature of the Eisenhowers. 

 

 

 

 

 Showcased in the room are the gifts the Eisenhowers received from heads of state as well as friends. 

 

The modest porch was the Eisenhowers’ favorite room where the family watched TV and played cards.

 

The formal dining room was used when family and friends visited but the Eisenhowers preferred to dine on TV trays on the porch.

The second floor includes the General’s room, maid’s room, guest rooms and the master bedroom. 

 Mamie believed that once a woman reached the age of 50 she was entitled to stay in bed until noon.  The former first lady met with staff members, wrote correspondence, planned her social agenda, and visited with close friends, all while in bed propped up on pillows.

Downstairs the kitchen, with its linoleum counters and Crosley refrigerator in the pantry, reflects the 1950s style more than any other room in the house. 

Ike spent many relaxing hours reading in the den.

President Eisenhower maintained a show herd of black Angus cattle on the farm. 

 

The cattle were entered into livestock shows across the country, winning grand championships at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show and numerous other awards.