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From its early days as Peter's Hole to becoming a pivotal location in American history, Harpers Ferry's unique position at the confluence of two major rivers and its strategic importance have made it a key player in history.
The flooding history of Harpers Ferry, particularly the devastating flood of 1936, shows the challenges of living in such a narrow, flood-prone gorge.
The stunning view from Jefferson Rock, where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet, was “worth a voyage across the Atlantic,” according to Thomas Jefferson in his 1785 book Notes on the State of Virginia.
The town grew into an industrial center, largely due to the waterpower provided by the rivers. The establishment of the U.S. Armory and Arsenal in 1799 and the work of John H. Hall in pioneering interchangeable firearms manufacturing were landmark...
John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry is one of the defining events in U.S. history.On October 16, 1859, he led a raid on the U.S. armory there. His plan was to take weapons from the armory and give them to enslaved people in the area, hoping they wo...
Abolitionist John Brown was as responsible as any one person for the coming of the Civil War. His 1859 raid on Harpers Ferry galvanized the nation, further alienating North and South and drastically reducing any possible middle ground for compromise.
Harpers Ferry was strategically important during the Civil War. The town changed hands multiple times and witnessed the largest surrender of U.S. forces in history until World War II.
During the Civil War, Harpers Ferry became a refuge for many who had escaped slavery or been freed by Union forces. The sheer number of people arriving, twice the town's population, shows the urgency and desperation behind their flight to freedom....
The "contraband" of formerly enslaved people in Harpers Ferry during the Civil War led in part to the founding of Storer College in 1867. As one of the first integrated schools in the country, it played a significant role in educating formerly ens...
By the 20th century, Harpers Ferry was facing a decline, largely due to ongoing flooding. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park was created by the U.S. government in 1944 to honor the significant history that occurred there. It receives more than...