Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry is a beautiful historic town on the Eastern border of West Virginia, a stone’s throw from Virginia and Maryland. The town is thought to be the most Northern town controlled by Confederates during the Civil War in the 1860’s.

At the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers

Harpers Ferry is in Jefferson county in a little corner of West Virginia at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. At this point, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland meet.

This strategic location was a critical part of history before and after the Civil War. In 1783, Thomas Jefferson passed through the town while travelling to Philadelphia. He was known to have stated the area was “worth a trip across the Atlantic”. The view from Jefferson rock is stunning.

George Washington's Visit, 1785

In 1785, George Washington travelled to Harpers Ferry to investigate the possibility of bypass canals, then in 1794, he recommended an armory and arsenal be built in the town. Several family members moved to the area, including his brother Charles, for which Charles Town is named. The Armory was built in 1799 and was only one of two in the United States. These 2 facilities built most of the weapons for the US Army. The Armory was intentionally destroyed in 1861 to avoid capture during the Civil War. The Fire House, more commonly known as John Brown’s Fort, still remains today although it has been moved around the country 4 times before settling back in Harpers Ferry close to the original location.

In the 1830’s, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad started to service Harpers Ferry from Maryland. Later that decade, Winchester and Potomac Railroad started service to Charles Town and later into Winchester, Virginia.

John Browns Raid

Born in 1800, John Brown was an Evangelical Christian who felt it was his duty to fight for the freedom of slaves. His fighting came to an end in 1859 in Harpers Ferry when he tried to capture the armory in order to arm his slave followers and had hoped to take the slave freedom war south, however, he was captured, tried, and eventually hung in nearby Charles Town.

American Civil War

Harpers Ferry did not fare well in The Civil War. The town’s strategic location with the railroad and the proximity to Virginia, West Virginia and MaryLand, along with being home to one of only 2 armories, made it desirable to both the Union and Confederate armies. The town changed hands 8 times, with the worst battle being in September 1862 when Stonewall Jackson, led by Robert Lee, captured the 12,419 troops, making it the largest surrender of US military troops until World War II. The Union took control back in 1864

After the war, slaves tried to find a home in Harpers Ferry, causing racial tensions between the black and white. A Freedmans college was opened on Camp hill by the Freewill Baptist missionaries and later, Storer College was opened to train teachers for the freedmen. The War Department gave it’s remaining assets to the Freedmens Bureau and for the next few decades, Harpers Ferry became a tourist town for African-Americans.

The Rebuilding of Harpers Ferry

After a major flood in 1936, funds were approved to restore the town. Before any restoration could start, roads and bridges were required. Route 340, a bridge connecting Sandy Hook, Maryland to Loudan County and another connecting Virginia to Bolivar, West Virginia were built, although it took longer than expected due to World War II. Over the next 20 years, residents were evicted from lower town and restoration took place.

The National Park Service (NPS) built a Visitor centre and Museum and in 1963, Harpers Ferry Monument became Harpers Ferry National Park. Parking in Lower Town was prohibited and a shuttle service was implemented.

Harpers Ferry is now mostly a tourist attraction with less than 300 residents. The buildings on lower main street are fabulous museums and the stone steps still remain to visit St Peters Church. Just a short walk from the church is Stonewall Rock with remarkable views.

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a beautiful historic town is perfect for a day trip. Learn about the struggles of the town and its resiliency in always bouncing back. The beautiful, restored buildings filled with history and charming shops and restaurants to visit and rest tired feet.

I recommend parking at the National Park Service and taking the shuttle to Lower town. Parking is limited to the train station which is full with commuter cars during the week. The shuttle runs regularly all day.

Take a day and visit the town and stay a few days to visit the surrounding area steeped in Civil War history but also many other activities to explore and entertain the entire family.

Where to Stay

If you are looking for a place to stay in the area, I recommend this lovely cottage in Louden County. This was a great base to visit the beautiful surrounding towns in West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. Some suggestions include Shepherdstown, Frederick, Winchester, Manassas, Annapolis, Washington and so many more.