Building a Community Advocacy Website for Save Historic Gettysburg
Gettysburg, PA is known worldwide for its historical significance, with a strong emphasis on preserving its landmarks and maintaining the character of its downtown area.
When plans emerged for the Gettysburg Station Project—a proposed development that would introduce large, modern structures into the historic district—local residents and business owners raised concerns about the long-term impact on the town’s identity, tourism, and overall quality of life.
The team behind SaveHistoricGettysburg.com needed a website to inform the public and rally community support.
Developing a WordPress Website to Inform and Engage the Public
Referred by a long-time client, the team reached out to MAjor Designs to create a public-facing website that could clearly communicate details about the proposed development.
I developed a custom, responsive WordPress theme designed to:
- Present background information about the Gettysburg Station Project
- Explain potential impacts on the community
- Provide a central hub for updates and resources
The goal was to create a site that was easy to navigate, informative, and accessible to a wide audience.
Creating a Custom Petition System with AJAX and JSON Data Storage
A key requirement for the project was the ability to collect petition signatures from supporters.
To handle this, I developed a custom form system that:
- Uses AJAX to submit data without page reloads
- Sends submissions securely to the WordPress backend
- Stores collected data in a structured JSON file
This approach allowed for efficient data collection while keeping the system lightweight and easy to manage.
The collected signatures are intended to be presented to the Gettysburg Borough Council as part of the community’s response to the proposed project.
Supporting a High-Visibility Community Initiative
Because the website plays a role in a time-sensitive and high-visibility local issue, reliability and performance were critical.
After launch, I implemented:
- Google Analytics for tracking engagement and traffic
- Google Search Console for search visibility
- MAjor Designs’ 24/7 uptime monitoring system
This ensures the site remains accessible as community interest and traffic increase.
Using Technology to Support Community Impact
This project highlights how web development can go beyond business use cases and support real community initiatives.
By combining clear messaging with custom-built functionality, Save Historic Gettysburg now has a platform to inform residents, gather support, and take meaningful action.