by october 9, 1867, "the gettysburg katalysine spring company had purchased...land from willoughby run to gettysburg, lying between the hagerstown and chambersburg roads ... to lay down a horse railway", and the gettysburg spring railroad was organized by october 20, 1868. construction had commenced by october 16 at the west end, with the first car running on june 25, 1869. (the hotel opened on june 28).