I traveled to Washington, D.C. and Harpers Ferry, West Virginia this week with a group of 8th grade students from Enslow. We had a great time in D.C. and got to experience some of West Virginia's history in Harpers Ferry. Harpers Ferry figures most prominently in U.S. and West Virginia's history because of the abolitionist John Brown's take over of the federal arsenal and armory. Brown attempted to create a free black state with the weapons obtained from the arsenal, but his revolution was put down by the U.S. Army, led by Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee.
Harpers Ferrys' rail history begins with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal reaching it in 1833 and Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road reaching it in 1834. The C & O Canal connected Harpers Ferry with Washington, D. C. Because of it's location at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers it was an early starting point for explorers heading west. Today it is the western boundary of West Virginia where it meets Virginia and Maryland.
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| The train station as it appears today. Despite its dilapidated appearance, it is still a working Amtrak station. |
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| View looking from the train station across the Potomac River into Maryland |
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| View of the bridge crossing the Potomac River from Jefferson Rock |
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| Engine House- Site of John Brown's Fort |
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| Steeple of St.Peter's Roman Catholic Church |
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| Picturesque view Thomas Jefferson had looking across the Shenandoah into Virginia. |
I love Washington, DC and Harper's Ferry. I have been to both of them. You captured some great pictures. I remember seeing the engine house. I think I might havep pictures of that too. Thank you!
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