A visit to this quaint, historic community, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is like stepping into the past. Stroll the picturesque streets, visit exhibits and museums, or hike our trails and battlefields. Spend a day or a weekend. We have something for everyone, so come and discover Harpers Ferry! 8 Homes For Sale in Shannondale, Harpers Ferry, WV. Browse photos, see new properties, get open house info, and research neighborhoods on Trulia. CDFF (Christian Dating For Free) Largest Hubbard, Christian singles dating app/site. 100% free to Meet Birmingham Christian singles near you Today!
What was the significance of Harper's ferry?
1 Answer
Harper's ferry was a strategic point before and during the Civil War controlling the joining of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.
Explanation:
Harper's ferry became a federal arsenal under George Washington. The town became a major military manufacturing center using the water power provided by the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Large amounts of rifles and cannons were stored at the arsenal at Harper's Ferry.
Harper's Ferry perhaps became most famous for John Brown's raid on the arsenal. John Brown took control of the Arsenal and called for the slaves to rise up against their oppression. John Brown promised to arm the freed slaves with the rifles and weapons from the arsenal. John Brown was disappointed that so few joined him in his revolt. Federal forces (ironically) under Robert E. Lee defeated and took John Brown prisoner. John Brown and his captured followers were later hung.
When Virginia succeeded from the Union, Federal forces took 15,000 rifles from the arsenal as they retreated to the north. ( There were plenty of weapons for John Brown's raid to succeed).
Fighting over the town and its weapons would continue throughout the Civil War. The town would change hands 8 times during the war.
The most notable when Stonewall Jackson conquered the town in a brilliant military maneuver capturing 12,500 federal troops.
Harper's ferry became famous because of its arsenal and military manufacturing. The fighting for control of the Harper Ferry arsenal and weapons put Harper's Ferry in the history books.
Related questions
Harpers Ferry Amtrak–MARC station | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | 120 Potomac Street, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia[1] United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owned by | National Park Service | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Line(s) | Cumberland Subdivision | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Platforms | 2 side platforms | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Tracks | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Connections | PanTran | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parking | 98 spaces | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Disabled access | No[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Station code | HFY | |||||||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | 1889 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Passengers | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 7,920[3] 3.69% (Amtrak) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Services | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Harpers Ferry Train Station | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, USA | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 39°19′28″N77°43′52″W / 39.32444°N 77.73111°WCoordinates: 39°19′28″N77°43′52″W / 39.32444°N 77.73111°W | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Part of | Harpers Ferry Historic District (ID79002584) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Added to NRHP | 1979[4] | |||||||||||||||||||||
Harpers Ferry station is a railway station in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. It is currently served by Amtrak's Capitol Limited as well as MARC commuter service. Built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the station is part of the Harpers Ferry Historic District.
Harpers Ferry Matchmaking Service
It is a wooden frame Victorian style building, dating from 1889. It sits on buried foundations of original Harpers Ferry armory buildings.[5]
In 2007, the station was rededicated following a $2.2 million renovation, which included restoration of the station's tower.[6]
Station layout[edit]
| P Platform level | Side platform | |
| Outbound | ← Brunswick Line toward Martinsburg(Duffields) ← Capitol Limited toward Chicago(Martinsburg) | |
| Inbound | →Capitol Limited toward Washington, D.C.(Rockville) → →Brunswick Line toward Union Station(Brunswick) → | |
| Side platform | ||
| Street level | Exit/entrance, station house, parking | |
Ridership[edit]
MARC (2013): 104[citation needed]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^'MARC Station Information'. MTA Maryland. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^'MARC Station Information'. Maryland Transit Administration. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
- ^https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/statefactsheets/WESTVIRGINIA19.pdf
- ^'WEST VIRGINIA - Jefferson County'. National Register of Historic Places. American Dreams Inc.
- ^Harpers Ferry Planning Commission (November 1, 1978). 'National Register of Historic Places Nomination: Harpers Ferry Historic District'(PDF). National Park Service.Cite journal requires
|journal=(help) - ^'Harpers Ferry, WV station'. Great American Stations. Amtrak. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
External links[edit]
- Media related to Harpers Ferry (Amtrak station) at Wikimedia Commons
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. WV-86, 'Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Harpers Ferry Station, Potomac Street, Harpers Ferry, Jefferson County, WV', 38 photos, 1 color transparency, 14 measured drawings, 110 data pages, 4 photo caption pages
