Harpers Ferry Historic District

Harpers Ferry Historic District is a district at the junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers in Jefferson County, West Virginia, with numerous buildings from the 19th century. The structures range from houses to industrial facilities and reflect commerce, craftsmanship, and daily life in a frontier town.

The district gained national prominence in 1859 when abolitionist John Brown led a raid on the federal armory, an event that set the stage for the Civil War. The area remained strategically important during the conflict due to its location at the river crossing.

The district includes the former Storer College, established in 1868 as one of the first educational institutions in the country to teach formerly enslaved people. The campus buildings remind visitors of this significant role in education history.

The visitor center provides a good starting point, with shuttle buses running to Lower Town where restored buildings and exhibits are located. Most areas are accessible by foot, though some sections sit on hillsides with stairs that require effort to navigate.

Jefferson Rock is a natural limestone formation where the founding father Thomas Jefferson once stood and praised the view so highly he claimed it was worth crossing the Atlantic to see. The overlook today still offers sweeping views of the river gorge below.

Location: Harpers Ferry

GPS coordinates: 39.32640,-77.74140

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:07