ERA Liberty Realty

Harpers Ferry, WV Area Guide

General Information

Historic Harpers Ferry sits at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers where Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia meet. Enjoy the small town ambience of this historic place with the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park surrounding the town, offering visitors tours, museums, hiking and biking trails and beautifully restored 19th century streetscapes. All this within easy walking distance of the living history village for everyone’s enjoyment. Each month brings special events and activities, offering a journey back through history.

Unique shopping, town events and the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park that offers hiking and biking trails make Harpers Ferry a great place for visitors and a great small community for its residents. Everybody really does know your name in Harpers Ferry, where the population may be small, but the home town welcome is big. With Washington D.C. and the Baltimore Metropolitan area close by, there are big city things to do while still being able to call Harpers Ferry home.

Visit today and you’ll know why it’s a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of the work a day world, while being close enough to have a great night out on the town!

Information from: historicharpersferry.com and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers_Ferry,_West_Virginia

History

First settled in 1732 by Peter Stephens, whose rights were bought in 1747 by Robert Harper, Harper was given a patent on 125 acres in 1750 where the town is located today. Harper established a ferry business in 1761 to cross the Potomac River, making the town a starting point for settlers who were moving to the Shenandoah Valley. In 1763, the Virginia General Assembly created the town of Shenandoah Falls at Mr. Harper’s Ferry. In 1783, Thomas Jefferson visited Harpers Ferry and called the site of the passage of the Potomac through the Blue Ridge one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.

George Washington traveled to Harpers Ferry during the summer of 1785 to determine the need for bypass canals, enjoying the area. And in 1794, Washington’s knowledge f the area led him to suggest Harpers Ferry as a new site for a military armory. In 1796 the federal government bought a parcel of land from Robert Harper’s heirs and construction began. In 1853 John Brown led a group of 21 men in a raid on the arsenal, hoping to use the captured weapons, but were quickly pinned down by local citizens and militia.

Storer College was founded on Camp Hill by Rev. N. C. Brackett, graduating such notable people as Don Redman, Nnamdi Azikiwe. It closed in 1955, and the campus is now part of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

For more information, visit: http://www.harpersferrywv.us/about.htm

Attrations and Activities

River Riders
Only one hour from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore Metropolitan area, River Riders offers adventure lovers the finest white water rafting in West Virginia. For those who want a little more tranquility, there are canoe and bike trips on the Greenbrier River as well as kayaking through the Americas with guides and outfitters.
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"O BE JOYFULL" Historical Tours
Joining the tour during the inclement weather isn’t always enjoyed, but at O Be Joyfull, you appreciate the history of Harpers Ferry by its wood fired stove. O Be Joyfull offers a series of short walks to Harpers Ferry and the surrounding historical areas.
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BTI Whitewater
Offering tubing, whitewater rafting, canoeing and recreational kayaking on the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers in the Tri state areas of West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland, they’ve been a family run business for 15 years. BTI provides picnic areas with tables, charcoal grills and a sand volleyball court among other things.
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Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
Enjoy an incredibly exciting, friendly environment with everything from slot machines to gaming tables where you can enjoy blackjack, roulette and more!
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Elk Mountain Trails
Ride the historic trails of Harpers Ferry where you can ride horseback through the Blue Ridge Mountains or the banks of the Potomac River, taking a trip through a wilderness abundant with wildlife while viewing antiquated locks and lock houses from the good old days.
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John Brown Wax Museum
The John Brown Wax Museum graphically tells the story of John Brown and the raid on Harpers Ferry. Take a trip back in time without ever leaving the building as you see history unfold before your eyes.
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Parks and Recreation

Enjoy the majestic sites in the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. Tours and history, walking paths and nature wait for you!

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For more information on historic Harpers Ferry and the surrounding area, click here: