THE PROGRESSION, THEN & NOW
Harpers Ferry BY: WILLIAM BRICENO
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harpers ferry Present Day Harpers Ferry and Bolivar are two tiny 19th century villages, side-by-side, which lie at the eastern-most point of West Virginia, bordered by the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park surrounds both towns, providing visitors with tours, museums, hiking and biking trails --- all within easy walking distance of the living history villages. Today, the majestic beauty of the two rivers and the cliffs surrounding Harpers
Ferry draw visitors from all over the world. The Appalachian Trail goes right through the heart of town. Boutique shops offer a variety of beautiful items for our visitors and local eateries can satisfy the palate. Local outfitters can help with rafting, tubing or kayaking trips. As the eastern gateway to West Virginia, Harpers Ferry beckons visitors from near and far. Journey back into history and to historical Harpers Ferry and Bolivar again and again 4
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The beginning Harpers Ferry was first settled in 1732 by Peter Stephens, whose “squatter’s rights” were bought in 1747 by Robert Harper, for whom the town was named. In about 1750 Harper was given a patent on 125 acres (0.5 km²) at the present location of the town. In 1761 Harper established a ferry across the Potomac River, making the town a starting point for settlers moving into the Shenandoah Valley and further west. In 1763 the Virginia General Assembly established the town of “Shenandoah Falls at Mr. Harper’s Ferry.”
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n 25 October 1783, Thomas Jefferson visited Harpers Ferry. He viewed “the passage of the Potomac though the Blue Ridge” from a rock which is now named for him. Jefferson called the site “perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature. George Washington, as president of the Patowmack Company (which was formed to complete river improvements on the Potomac and its tributaries), traveled to Harpers Ferry during the summer of 1785 to determine the need for bypass canals. In 1794 Washington’s familiarity with the area led him to propose the site for a new United States armory and arsenal. Some of Washington’s family moved to the area; Charles Washington, youngest full brother of the President, founded the city of Charles Town, some six miles to the southwest. President
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Washington’s great-great-nephew, Colonel Lewis Washington, was held hostage during John Brown’s raid in 1859. In 1796 the federal government purchased a parcel of land from the heirs of Robert Harper, and three years later, construction began on the US Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Between 1801 and 1861, when it was destroyed to prevent capture during the Civil War, the armory produced more than 600,000 muskets, rifles and pistols. Industrialization continued in 1833 when the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal reached Harpers Ferry, linking it with Washington, D.C. A year later, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad began train service through town.
the RAID On 16 October 1859, the radical abolitionist John Brown led a group of 21 men in a raid on the arsenal. Brown and his men attacked and captured several buildings; he hoped to use the captured weapons to initiate a slave uprising throughout the South. John Brown’s men were quickly pinned down by local citizens and militia, and forced to take refuge in the engine house adjacent to the
armory. A contingent of US Marines, led by thenLieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee, stormed the engine house and captured most of the raiders, killing a few and suffering a single casualty themselves. Brown was tried for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia, convicted, and hanged in Charles Town. The raid was a catalyst for the Civil War.
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Panorama Of Town 1944
STEP INTO HISTORY The Civil War was disastrous for Harpers Ferry, which changed hands eight times between 1861 and 1865. When Virginia seceded in April 1861, the US garrison attempted to burn the arsenal and destroy the machinery, to prevent the Confederates from using it. Locals saved the equipment, which the Confederate Army transferred to a more secure location in its capital of Richmond. The US Army never renewed arms production in Harpers Ferry.
After the end of the Civil War, in 1867, the historically black Storer College was founded on Camp Hill by Reverend Nathan Cook Brackett. Notable alumni include jazz legend Don Redman and the first President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe. Storer College closed in June 1955, and the campus is now part of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
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the now Harpers Ferry Park offers a wide variety of activities for individuals and families. Visit our many museums and exhibits, hike our trails, join a ranger-guided tour or just tour on your own. The Harpers Ferry Historical Association’s Bookshop has a great supply of books, artwork, postcards and items for kids of all ages. Rangers and volunteers at the Visitor Center and Information Center are available to assist you and answer any questions you may have. Visit us soon and discover Harpers Ferry.
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THOSE WHO COME AFTER
US WILL
FILL UP THE CANVAS WE BEGIN 14
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1944 In 1944 most of the town became part of the National Park Service and is now maintained as the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
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THE PAYMASTERS GARDEN
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things to do Harpers Ferry offers a wide range of recreational and educational activates. There are events and adventures at every corner, from mountain climbing, to trail blazing on bikes. River Riders let you experience the majestic landscape while you zip line through the canopy or you can take your adventure to water and ride alongside tour guides on the Potomac river. Theres something for the whole family to do, no matter what age you may be.
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RECREATIONAL Only one hour from the DC and Baltimore metro regions, river riders offers white water rafting, tubing, canopy tour/zip lining, aerial forest adventure parks, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, and fishing adventures on the beautiful Shenandoah and Potomac rivers in harpers ferry, west Virginia where Maryland, Virginia and west Virginia come together. We also guide rafting trips on other world famous whitewater runs: the north
branch of the Potomac, the new river gorge national river, and the gauley river national recreation area ,all in west Virginia, and western Maryland’s upper youghiogheny. Using our expertise and the best adventure equipment available, we run all trips in a professional, personable manner. We pride ourselves on superior guest service. Let river riders arrange your next outdoor adventure.
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CANAPY TOURS
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hikes Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (NHP) is considered one of the best walking parks in America. The views are sublime, the history compelling, the restored town a work of historical art. The variety of trails coupled with nationally significant history and the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Potomac and Shenandoah river valleys adds up to a unique hiking experience. Harpers Ferry NHP encompasses almost 4,000 acres in West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia, and several units of the national park system intersect here.
RIVER & TRAIL OUTFITTERS www.rivertrail.com
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Raft Take our popular white water rafting experience to the next level; navigate the Potomac River on your own! Gather your friends or family to experience the mild rapids together and enjoy the solitude. If you don’t have previous white water rafting experience, choose a guide assisted trip for a little guidance on controlling the boat and navigating the rapids. River Riders oar assisted raft trips allow you to customize the perfect river experience for your group. Oar assisted rafts are ideal for families with young children or seniors, as our guide will take care of the maneuvering and paddling while you enjoy the scenery and each other, and relax!
RIVER RIDERS www.riverriders.com
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ST. PETER’S CHURCH
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ghost tours The tour and its stories are based on the 1977 book, pictured above, “A Ghostly Tour of Harpers Ferry.” Shirley Dougherty, the author, had opened up a popular Harpers Ferry restaurant in 1968, “The Old Iron Horse.” Although Shirley did not believe in ghosts when she opened the restaurant, she and others soon experienced a number of unexplainable ghostly phenomenon that caused her to start asking questions about the history of the building and Harpers Ferry hoping to find explanations that might account for, or explain the strange things that were happening.
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Yesterday is history
tomorrow is a mystery
today is a gift — ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
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St. Peters Church High above the storied town of Harpers Ferry, with the tranquil waters of the Shenandoah River flowing just below, sites historic St. Peters Church. Deeply rooted in the rich history of the church in West Virginia, The Civil War and on of state’s oldest town, the chapel is a firm link to the Catholic heritage, which still serves generations of parishioners and vistitors.
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the town Several historical museums now occupy restored 19th century buildings in the Lower Town Historic District of Harpers Ferry. Nearly half a million people visit the park each year. (In comparison, 15 million people visit Washington, DC, each year.) North of the park and across the Potomac from Harpers Ferry is the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.
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food Shop
& SCOOPS
173 Potomac Street 304.535.6654 Homemade ice cream, ice cream treats, fresh baked cookies, hot-dogs, coffee
THE VINTAGE LADY www.thevintagelady.net
180 High Street 304.535.1313 Amazing jewelry. Featuring sterling silver and over 49 semi-precious gemstones, clothing, West Virginia handmade glass.
HANNAH’S TRAIN DEPOT www.hannahstraindepot.com
201 Potomac St. 304.535.1333 family-friendly dining. Fresh seafood, BBQ, deli-style sandwiches, and weekly specials.
GRANDALE RESTAURANT www.grandalefarm.com
14001 Harpers Ferry Rd. Purcellville, VA 540.668.6000 Fresh, farm-to-table cuisine. Seasonal outside dining. Located on the grounds of 868 Estate Vineyards.
CONSERVANCY VISITORS' CENTER www.appalachiantrail.org
799 Washington Street 304.535.6331 A shop at the “psychological halfway point” of the Appalachian Trial, where you can become an ATC member, guidebooks, hike preparation materials.
HARPERS FERRY WINE AND GOURMET 196 High Street 304.535.1834 An old fashioned general store with much more than just useful things.
THE HODGE PODGE
148 High Street 304.535.6917 Cameras, film, souvenirs, T-shirts, Civil War replicas, antique glassware
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Open from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. every day of the year, the restaurant in the Inn offers indoor and patio dining featuring popular cuisine fresh from the kitchen, including homemade specialties and healthy options. 38
THE
DINING EXPERIENCE Harpers ferry offers a large variety of restaurant experiences, from homemade cooked meals to five star cuisine. Fun and friendly for families or romantic evening with those significant others. Its never a dull dinner at Harpers Ferry.
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sightseeing The Harpers Ferry Historic Town Foundation is a non-profit organization focusing on preservation and beautification of the Town of Harpers Ferry “A Town that inspires citizens and visitors with its history, beauty, and hospitality.� Preservation of a 19th Century village in the 21st Century takes vision, cooperation, hard work and substantial financial resources. The Foundation works in concert with local government, the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, individuals and corporate partners to accomplish its goals.
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JEFFERSON ROCK
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The Progression, Then And Now
HARPERS FERRY 55
for more information visit us online at historicharpersferry.com
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