Abbottstown: Lincoln Highway and Historic Homes

Abbottstown offers several starting points for a trip that brings local history together with a range of leisure interests. The Lincoln Highway helps orient visitors around town; historic homes tell the story of Abbottstown’s early years, and Bridges Golf Club adds a specific sporting option. When searching for a vacation rental, it may be helpful to consider in advance whether you want to focus your stay mainly on the town’s history, golf, or both.

Lincoln Highway and Local History

Abbottstown is known as the eastern gateway to the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. This 200-mile, state-designated outdoor heritage corridor follows the Lincoln Highway through south-central Pennsylvania. In town, the Lincoln Highway runs along U.S. 30 and is called King Street. The highway is therefore a prominent point of reference if you want to explore the history of this route and its role in the region.

Altland House is also closely connected to the town’s early history: It began as a tavern in 1750 and has stood at the corner of Abbottstown’s town square ever since—before Abbottstown was officially founded. This timeline makes the house a concrete example of how its history began before the town’s formal founding. Historic Altland House includes several rooms as well as the Altland House Restaurant, which offers dining.

Another historic building is the John Abbott House. Built in 1740, the home is made of timber framing and stone and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Abbottstown’s founder also lived in this house. Its age, construction, and connection to the town’s founding give the building its own historical significance: It can be understood both as an example of early residential architecture and through its relationship to the founder.

A smaller, different kind of connection to the Lincoln Highway is a mural at 38 East King Street. It is one of the local Lincoln Highway exhibits and lies on the way to downtown Abbottstown. Alongside the historic homes, the mural and the street name King Street represent different ways the highway’s history is visible in town.

Golf and Other Interests

If golf is one of your travel interests, Bridges Golf Club offers a clear option: The public course has 18 holes and a par of 72. The club also has practice areas with fully grass-covered playing surfaces. Details about the course and practice areas can help you assess golf as a focus for your trip without conflating it with the town’s historical attractions.

Bridges Golf Club also has guest rooms, a pro shop, and a restaurant. Together with the rooms and restaurant at Altland House, these are specific local amenities that may help you plan your visit. If you prefer a vacation rental, you can instead base your choice on which of the local stories or leisure interests described here matters most for your stay.

You can also explore other local pages for Littlestown, New Oxford, Gettysburg, and Aspers.

For the broader travel overview: Adams.