Past Lane Plus is an extension of Past Lane Travels, a history/travel blog. Past Lane Plus features extra photos of historical sites that didn’t make it into the regular posts.
I made the short day trip to Harpers Ferry WV last week and found that little had changed since my last visit a decade or so ago — and yet there was so much to see!
A Scenic Getaway
I love Harpers Ferry for its history, but if you’re a nature lover, there are plenty of things to enjoy.
For one thing, Harpers Ferry offers magnificent views of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. For another thing, this little mountainside town sits on the edge of three states and four national park sites.
That’s just the start. Harpers Ferry is also known for its rich history, architecture and nearby hiking trails including the Appalachian Trail.
I hiked up the Maryland Heights Trail which offers great views of the town.
A Town With Lots Of Steps
One thing you will notice right away during a visit to Harpers Ferry is that it seems like you are always walking uphill. There are stairs everywhere — and most of them are made up of uneven stone steps, so wear the proper footwear if you go!
St. Peters Roman Catholic Church
One of the most stunning examples of amazing architecture is St. Peters Roman Catholic Church. You can see its iconic steeple no matter where you are in the town.
The church was completed in 1833 and was used as a hospital during the Civil War. To show its neutrality during the war, it flew a Union Jack flag.
You will pass the church if you walk up to Jefferson Rock, another iconic landmark in Harper Ferry.
A Main Attraction: Jefferson Rock
The short hike up to Jefferson Rock is a must when you visit Harpers Ferry. (Only about 300 yards, but all uphill).
Visited by our third president Thomas Jefferson, the site above Harpers Ferry offers wonderful views of the rivers below.
Jefferson said the view was “worth a trip across the Atlantic.”
John Brown’s Raid
If you need a refresher on your history, Harpers Ferry is where John Brown’s raid took place in 1859.
Brown, an abolitionist, led a group of men in an attempt to seize the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry and spark a slave rebellion. His raid was part of a plan to establish an independent stronghold of freed slaves in the mountains of Maryland and Virginia.
Brown and his 18 men captured and held the federal arsenal for 36 hours, but they were then surrounded by a company of U.S. Marines, led by Colonel Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant JEB Stuart.
Historic Buildings in Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry is a National Historic Park operated by the National Park Service. You can walk into a number of buildings that are set up as they would have looked in the mid-19th century.
I also stumbled upon the neatest candy shop in the world in Harpers Ferry and can’t wait to write about it!
Who would have thought you could mix history and sweets? I can’t wait to share this story with you.