A town at “Mr. Harper’s Ferry.”
In 1763, the Virginia General Assembly established the town of “Shenandoah Falls at Mr. Harper’s Ferry.” The early pioneer’s gateway to the west through the Appalachian Mountains, Harpers Ferry was the launching point for Lewis and Clark’s 1803 transcontinental expedition. The town was also a significant military objective during the Civil War, changing hands eight times. During Union occupation it became a refuge for runaway slaves from the southern states.
Today, Harpers Ferry has carefully preserved its Civil War–period glory. A picturesque village atop a rocky promontory overlooking the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, Harpers Ferry is home to charming shops, restaurants and galleries, as well as museums and historical sites and exhibits.
