History buffs and those interested in America’s Civil War must travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the site of the most unforgettable and important military conflict of the war and President Abraham Lincoln’s most famous speech, “The Gettysburg Address.” Gettysburg National Military Park is mentioned in the book, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die in the USA and Canada.

The entrance to the Baladerry Inn.

The battle was not just the turning point of the war, but it was the largest and bloodiest military engagement in North America. It began on July 1, 1863 and lasted for two more days. The Union Army won, and turned the Confederates back south, so badly defeated that they never again ventured north.

With over 51,000 soldiers dead, wounded, captured or missing, the small town of Gettysburg was left with the staggering task of removing the corpses of men and horses from the battleground, cleaning up, rebuilding and simply surviving. Many structures, including private homes, were conscripted into serving as field hospitals. One of them was the main house of the Baladerry Inn (www.baladerryinn.com) that’s located only one mile from the battlefield.

Over 1,300 injured Civil War soldiers were treated in this dining room.

Owners Judy and Kenny Caudill will gladly give you a tour of the old house. Note that the living and dining rooms held 1,300 injured men who were treated after the battle. As you enter those rooms, you realize that you’re on hallowed ground.

Understanding that all the patients didn’t survive, you wonder: Is the Baladerry Inn haunted? Experts have said that it is! When the Travel Channel visited there, they discovered paranormal activity. Guests and other supernatural groups have also experienced ghostly encounters.

The red brick building was constructed in 1812 on the farm of George Bushman. In the 1970s, it was purchased by Carol and Bob O’Gara who turned it into an inn, and named it after an Irish village. They set five guestrooms in the original home. The O’Garas also transformed the carriage house into another hostelry with five on-suite rooms, which allows the inn to accommodate up to 27 persons.

Judy and Kenny Caudill bought the country property in 2010, and brought it into the 21^st century without compromising its historical integrity. Why would anyone take on the huge responsibility of becoming an innkeeper, plus having to preserve such an important site? Judy explains, “I love cooking and cleaning and people. It seemed like the right thing for us.”

You can sample Judy’s cooking skills with her freshly-made breakfasts of Pear-Glazed French Toast, Warm Fruit Compote, frittatas and Blueberries and Cream pastries, to name just a few. Other food treats include all-day snacks of homemade cookies, candy, fruit, coffee and other beverages.

The Great Room at the Baladerry Inn.

There’s something to keep you entertained and relaxed all year at the Baladerry Inn. Snuggle close to the blazing fireplaces in the winter with hot cocoa, or settle into the Great Room or living room with books, games, TV and Wi-Fi. During the warmer months, you can unwind in a gazebo that’s planted in the shade of mature trees, lounge on your own private balcony or patio, soak in the big hot tub out on the terrace or fire up the grill.

Judy Caudill and her husband are the innkeepers.	Guests are permitted to barbecue and enjoy the patio.

It boggles the mind that one can sleep so close to American history. But the Caudills have created a modern and cheerful B&B that’s focused on making its guests feel welcomed. It’s “Mi casa es su casa,” all the way.

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