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Washington Heritage Trail
 
 
Jefferson County, WV
About Jefferson County
Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Jefferson Rock
Shenandoah Canal
Shepherdstown
Entler Hotel
Rumsey Monument and Tobacco Warehouse
Morgan's Grove Park
Peter Burr House
Charles Town
Jefferson County Courthouse and Museum
Zion Episcopal Church
Happy Retreat
St. George's Chapel Ruins
Harewood
Cedar Lawn
Claymont Court/Blakeley
Middleway Historic District
Berkeley County, WV
About Berkeley County
Martinsburg
B&O Roundhouse & Station Complex
Belle Boyd House
Berkeley County Courthouse
Triple Brick Museum
General Adam Stephen House
Green Hill Cemetery
Van Metre Ford Bridge
Bunker Hill Mill
Morgan Chapel
Morgan Cabin
Gerrardstown Historic District
Hays Gerrard House
Mill's Gap
Sleep Creek Wildlife Management Area
Hedgesville Historic District
Mt. Zion Episcopal Church
Snodgrass Tavern
Morgan County, WV
About Morgan County
Spruce Pine Hollow Park
Berkeley Springs
Dutch Cemetery
Throgmorton's Inn
Bath Historic District
Berkeley Springs State Park
George Washington's Bathtub
Roman Bath House & Museum of the Berkeley Springs
Washington's Lots
Sir John's Run
Panorama Overlook
Great Cacapon
Camp Hill Cemetery
Paw Paw
Paw Paw Tunnel
Coolfont Manor House
Cacapon State Park

Washington Heritage Trail


Harpers Ferry


The upper town is perched on a cliff above the Potomac River and is an Historic District; the lower town along the Shenandoah River is a National Historical Park of the same name. The real-life, 21st century town comes complete with a steep cobblestone street of quaint shops and more than 125 historic houses restored and inhabited by their owners on long narrow side streets. Always a workingman’s town, Harpers Ferry has few elegant mansions. The historic homes built in the 1830s and 40s were mostly for Federal Armory workers and were created by blasting the cliffs.

The Appalachian Trail national headquarters is in a stone cabin on a main street corner.

The town is named for Robert Harper who bought squatters rights in 1747 and first operated river ferries there. Recognizing its abundant water power, President George Washington recommended the village as location of the southern armory and arsenal. Building began in 1796 and launched Harpers Ferry on a century of industrial development ended by a series of floods, the latest in 1936. The town’s strategic location, industry and transportation assets made it a major target during the Civil War starting with John Brown’s raid in 1859.

Harpers Cemetery offers both ancient gravesites and a spectacular view of the Shenandoah River.

“Harpers Ferry is a meeting place of winds and water, rocks and ranges.”
Carl Sandburg

 

 

 



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