Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

View of Shenandoah Street

Our next stop, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, was another key point of interest that drove the planning of this trip. Robert Harper started a ferry here in 1747 to aid travelers using this natural corridor. While reading about the westward movement, the Revolutionary War, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Civil War or Civil Rights, there is mention of the town of Harpers Ferry.

High Street

Harpers Ferry sits where the Potomac River cuts through the Blue Ridge and merges with the Shenandoah River. The rushing waters from these rivers provided power for factories and caused George Washington to envision the site for a US Armory. These factories, from the early 1800's, utilized innovations that fueled the Industrial Revolution. The town boomed with success. The story is long and interesting, too much for me to recite here, and why would I when you can read from all kinds of other sources that will explain much better?

What I will say is that this place ranks up there with one of the best historical parks we've been to. Between the Civil War and many major floods, the factories that made this town great are gone with only a lot of foundations left. The building restorations that have been done are great and the information plentiful. This is a worthwhile stop for history lovers.

Information sign. The book
Undaunted Courage
discusses this at length

Lower High Street