Harpers Ferry is in the US state of West Virginia and is located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, where three States meet: West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. It is a historic town and is best known for John Brown's raid on the Armory in 1859 and its role in the American Civil War. The lower part of the town is located within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. [Jump to Photos]
John Brown (1800-59) was a northern white abolitionist who used violence to protest against slavery. In October 1859, he led an armed band of abolitionists and a group of slaves he had gathered in an assault on the U.S. military arsenal at Harpers Ferry. By obtaining weapons from the arsenal, the raid was meant to be the first stage of a larger plan to establish an independent stronghold of freed slaves in the mountains of Virginia and Maryland. However, John Brown was caught during the raid, arrested, and subsequently convicted of treason and executed by hanging. The North were aware his actions were wrong but praised him as he was an abolitionist; he was considered a martyr. However, the South became outraged, because of fears of slave rebellions. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry is infamous for its role in increasing mounting tensions between Northern and Southern states not long before the American Civil War started in 1861.
During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the geographical position of Harpers Ferry with the confluence of the two large rivers resulted it in being a dividing 'line' between the North and South. It subsequently was the scene of many battles which were disastrous for the town; it changed hands no less than eight times between 1861 and 1865.
This, of course, is only a very brief history, so further reading can be found here.
Today, a visit to the town is like stepping into the past. The old buildings are carefully preserved and there are plenty of exhibits and museums to explore. Depending on the time and day, you may find an array of people dedicated to keeping the history of the town alive. We walked into the gunsmiths, where the 'shop' keeper showed us the type of weapons which would have been used during the times of John Brown and during the American Civil War. There are plenty of outlets selling gifts, serving drinks and so forth.
Harpers Ferry is one of only a few towns through which the Appalachian Trail, one of America's best known long distance trails, passes directly through. The Appalachian trail runs all of the way from Maine to Georgia. The town is located roughly at the half-way point. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), who are responsible for the conservation of the trail, have their headquarters here; a photograph at the ATC is a standard ritual for dedicated hikers hoping to complete the trail's length of approx. 2,200 miles.
The town is a popular destination for outdoor recreation visitors as well as those interested in its historical significance. Although we approached by road, the town is also accessible by train.
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