IT WAS HERE THAT WE READ THAT AMERICAN CIVIL WAR STARTED HERE, INSTEAD OF NORTH CAROLINA ACCORDING TO HARPERS FERRY RESIDENTS

historic information billboard at Harpers Ferry.

 

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

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"Harpers Ferry" redirects here. For other uses, see Harpers Ferry (disambiguation).

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

— Town —

 

Harpers Ferry from Maryland side of Potomac River

Coordinates: 39°19′31″N 77°44′37″W / 39.32528°N 77.74361°W / 39.32528; -77.74361

Country United States

State West Virginia

County Jefferson

Government

- Mayor Jim Addy

Area

- Total 0.6 sq mi (1,700 km2)

- Land 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km2)

- Water 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2)

Elevation 489 ft (149 m)

Population (2000)

- Total 307

- Density 552.2/sq mi (213.2/km2)

Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)

- Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)

ZIP code 25425

Area code(s) 304

FIPS code 54-35284[1]

GNIS feature ID 1560593[2]

Harpers Ferry is a historic town in Jefferson County, West Virginia. In many books the town is called "Harper's Ferry" with an apostrophe.[3] It is situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers where the U.S. states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia meet. The town is located on a low-lying flood plain created by the two rivers. It is thus surrounded by higher ground on all sides. Historically, Harpers Ferry is best known for John Brown's raid on the Armory in 1859 and its role in the American Civil War. As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 307.[4]

 

The lower part of Harpers Ferry is located within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Most of the remainder, which includes the higher, more populated area, is included in the separate Harpers Ferry Historic District. Two other National Register of Historic Places properties adjoin the town: the B & O Railroad Potomac River Crossing and St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church.

 

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) headquarters is located in Harpers Ferry and the town is one of only a few that the Appalachian Trail passes directly through.

 

Contents [hide]

1 History

1.1 Early years

1.2 John Brown's raid

1.3 Civil War

1.4 20th Century

2 Rail transportation

3 Geography

4 Demographics

5 John Brown's bell controversy

6 See also

7 References

8 Maps and satellite imagery

9 External links

 

 

[edit] History

[edit] Early years

In 1751, Robert 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, 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."

 

 

View of Harpers Ferry from Jefferson Rock in 1854

The same view in 2004On October 25, 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 was actually on his way to Philadelphia and passed through Harpers Ferry with his daughter Patsy. 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; his great-great nephew, Colonel Lewis Washington, was held hostage during John Brown's raid in 1859

 

Done