Several people, trying to visualize the layout of the Conewago Church, have asked me if there was a village surrounding the Conewago Reformed Dutch Church and the northern cemetery. The first Church and Northern cemetery, located along today's Swift Run Road, was built on the tract of Henry Banta and was surrounded by farms, much as the Northern cemetery is today. Both were situated well north of todays Rt. 30. But there was no Conewago Village which sprung up around it. Any industry such as tanning or blacksmithing seems to have been located on the property belonging to the individual owning the business, much the same as you will see if you visit the "back road areas" of Lancaster County. Also today "out in the country" you will come across a school or church located on a section of someones farm, the Conewago Reformed Dutch Church was much the same idea. And since the Church was strictly for this group of Reformed Dutch they did not build it for anyone but themselve! s. You might even say they were a "closed society" at that time. They were strictly serving the members of their community, unlike other groups who were actively recruiting. So it wasn't necessary to build in an area which would attract new members not of the Reformed Dutch faith. Later Rev. Cozine deeded the lot along York Road (Rt. 30) and the church moved to this more central location which was more practical for the congregation travel wise. York Road was a major route of transportation and while there were a few businesses such as a tavern located up and down the road but in those days not actually near the Church but again no village as such. The Southern cemetery location was strictly located in an area convenient for those whose farms were located in that area, however, other non Dutch families did use it also eventually. This cemetery was built at a later date. Both cemeteries are maintained by a Trust to which descendants or others contribute to so if you are interested and wish more information you can contact Arthur Weaner, 145 Weaner Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325. A few years back, the owner of the land on which the Northern Cemetery is located, tried to sell the cemetery as a "Historic Landmark" and eventually this sale was blocked. I believe at one or two times in the past, descendants have tried to purchase the cemetery and the land it sits on, but their offer's have been refused. So the cemetery is always somewhat endangered. For years we have tried to get Adams County to put up a marker, however, their criteria for what ever reason does not seem to include this. The battlefield seems to take up most of their focus, while the Commonwealth of Pa will only mark areas they feel are of importance to many across the state. Having a marker would certianly help protect it, I would hope, but than again it might just attract vandals. If you visit this area, the original Church location now containing only the Northern cemetery is still rural while the York Road church location has disappeared. Today businesses are simply strung out along the highway until you reach an intersection but no Conewago village. The casino which I am sure many of you have been reading about was originally planned to be construction near this area off Rt. 15 and Rt. 30, however, they have reconsidered and are now looking at the Eisenhower Resort Hotel which is at the far end of Gettysburg, well away from this location. However, unfortunately it is way to close to the battlefield, being next to it, and as has been said, the families who come to the battlefield are not interested in gambling which was the mis-guided thinking in the first place. Judy Cassidy