Capitalizing on the American History tourist trade, the Gettysburg Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge opened in 1960 adjacent to the Gettysburg Visitors Center, National Museum, Electric Map, National Civil War Wax Museum, National Cemetery, and the main entrance to the Gettysburg National Military Park. Its parcel of land was part of a larger tract which consisted of many residential units. During its initial development, litigation to halt the project was instituted by Paul G. and Jean E. Witt who owned property near the proposed Motor Lodge. The couple had filed suit to prevent the Lodge's construction on the grounds that it would violate restrictive covenants by which the real estate of Steinwehr Development Corporation was bound. However the court ruled that there were no restrictions in the area which prevented a motel operation, and the case was dismissed at the cost of the plaintiffs.

After several years had past, and not without some irony I might add, the Witt's son acquired the Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge in 1975. And according to Mr. Witt, he operated the Motor Lodge as a HoJo's until 1999. Subsequently the property was a Best Inn and since 2006 has been branded as an America's Best Value Inn. Please visit www.abvigettysburg.com or call 717-334-1188 for more information regarding the former Howard Johnson's (I encourage your patronage of the former Howard Johnson's and all without any remuneration!).