I’ve been to a lot of Eastern Theatre battlefield parks and Antietam is the most “realistic” one. It looks quite close to when the battle happened. Not much development up there(yet). Some improvements would be get rid of the sunken road tower, and restore the sunken road all the way to Burnsides bridge.
How long ago was your last visit?
I hardly recognize it between the 70s and now.
Back then, it was still sunken, dirty, dusty, rough and wonderfully atmospheric just as it was.
Now there’s a parking lot right on top of it, grass planted all over it and it just looks to “happy”, to me.
There’s just no “feel” of what happened there left, anymore.
http://www.civilwaralbum.com/antietam/tour8.htm
Back when I was young, you could actually drive *over* Burnside Bridge.
Now it’s blocked off with a parking lot on the hill overlooking it.
We were just there a couple weeks ago and I was shocked.
I *like* the tower.
[hubby’s not much for heights and I get to mess with his head once we’re up there]...;D
I like Gettysburg better, especially during the off season when I have Little Round Top and Devil’s Den pretty much all to myself.