Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, WV - July 4

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, WV - July 4

Happy Birthday America!

The weather today started out OK and then it sprinkled a bit and then it POURED!

Harper’s Ferry is situated at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, where the U.S. states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia meet. It is the easternmost town in West Virginia and during the Civil War the northernmost point of Confederate-controlled territory. (The northernmost Virginia city of Wheeling was strongly anti-slavery and was the first capital of the breakaway region that became West Virginia.) The town's original, lower section is on a flood plain created by the two rivers and surrounded by higher ground.

The lower part of Harpers Ferry is within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Most of the remainder, which includes the more highly populated area, is included in the separate Harpers Ferry Historic District. Two other National Register of Historic Places properties adjoin the town: the B & O Railroad Potomac River Crossing and St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church.

We explored the Lower Town where the main street has been preserved to be like it was years ago. There were films to watch, museums and various period exhibits to explore. 

 the outline of the Small Arsenal - Burned, Flooded & Leveled

 confluence of Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers

 bridge to walk across

  railroad tracks over the Potomac & Shenandoah Rivers

 We also walked down the stairs to see the C&O Canal towpath

We also seem to be running into a lot of places that cross or parallel the Appalachian Trail. It passes through here as well. The Appalachian Trail is a marked hiking trail that runs between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It's about 2,200 miles long. (the exact length changes over time as parts are modified or rerouted)

 White Hall Tavern

We had a nice lunch at the Almost Heaven restaurant with some yummy Pub Nachos and Greg had a Reuben Sandwich. The Pub Nachos were made with smoked pulled pork, beer cheese, jalapenos & crunchy chips. 

A fun police officer rolled down his window to talk to us when we were taking cover from the rain asking if we could answer a one question “poll”. He asked us to read what the sign said (we had to come out into the road to read it) and it was "no parking along the street" sign. He asked if it seemed clear to us that it meant both sides of the street since cars were parked on one side. It seemed clear to us, but honestly, I could understand that since the sign was only on one side it was meant just for that side. He chatted with us a while and then drove away. Most people park at the upper area since they will shuttle you to the Lower Town where parking is at a premium. (which is what we did) He had a good sense of humor and seemed to handle all the stupid things people were doing with humor instead of anger. One car was starting to drive up a hill that was pedestrian only and he explained if it were an emergency it would be OK, but they needed to back out and go another way. Later, he was telling someone else he couldn’t park where he was, but the guy told the officer that he was waiting for his girlfriend who was very sick in the bathroom and asked where the nearest hospital was. I held the door for the young lady that had already tossed her cookies about a block back and was being held up by 2 people to get her to the bathroom. She made it as far as the trashcan in there (thankfully, they still have them in bathrooms) and hurled again. Don't know if she went to the hospital or not.

 Sweet Shop

St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church

 The Harper House

 McGraw Family rented a portion of the Harper House

 red velvet ice cream

Moose Tracks & Chocolate

We then visited John Brown’s Museum. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry was an 1859 effort by abolitionist John Brown to initiate an armed slave revolt in Southern states by taking over a United States arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. 

We finished touring the rest of the exhibits in town and hen we walked to the ruins of a cotton mill.

 rafters

It started to rain, and we figured it would pass quickly, but we waited about an hour for it to end. We only had one thing left to see and it was Jefferson Rock and the ruins of an “Episcopal church”. We hiked up the hill and the rain held off for the most part. 

 Episcopal Church ruins

 Jefferson's Rock

We got back on the shuttle bus and then started the drive home. It started to POUR. We had planned to go to some fireworks in Manassas, but it was now storming pretty good and we decided to go back to the hotel and decide if we wanted to go and hope it stopped or just call it a night. The rain persisted so we stayed in and watched fireworks on TV.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/C1A1eDbCQ4XBhRFD6

Tomorrow, we are going to visit Mount Vernon.