Posted in West Virginia
August 29, 2017
This Tiny Town In West Virginia Has The Most Fascinating Past
There’s a tiny town in the easternmost corner of West Virginia where big things happened. The area that eventually became Harpers Ferry was first settled in 1733, and has built up plenty of fascinating history ever since. The historic parts of the town are well-preserved, and you can get up close to where important events happened. Take a look!
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate




John Brown led a slave revolt in the town that was not successful at the time. Many of his men were captured and killed, and John Brown was executed. However, the events of the uprising helped to inspire the Civil War.

Wax figures help to tell the story to visitors.

The building was damaged in the Civil War, and eventually abandoned and left to crumble until the National Park Service took over the care of the ruins.


Thomas Jefferson said of the view: "this scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic."

The steeple seen here is St. Peter's Catholic church.

The original church was built in 1833, and then modified in 1896 to the style we see today. It was the only church in Harpers Ferry to escape destruction during the Civil War.

The town suffered during the Civil War, and was also impacted by flooding. It was eventually abandoned. You can now tour the island and see the ruins of the town and the factories that were once there.

True Treats Historic Candy has treats like those made from the earliest time in history through the mid-1900s. Find them at 144 High St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.
With all its history, Harpers Ferry has collected a few spooky tales of the years. Read more about some of the scariest Harpers Ferry ghost stories.