Located where the Shenendoah River meets the Potomac, Harpers Ferry is a beautiful West Virginia village nestled amongst the amazing Blue Ridge Mountains. Its historic ties to the Civil War can be seen in the gorgeous antebellum homes dotting Harpers Ferry real estate. Several of these historic homes have been made into bed and breakfasts for visitors passing through. Being surrounded by Harpers Ferry National Park all but guarantees that mother nature will stand guard over the beauty of Harpers Ferry.
History of Harpers Ferry
Discovered in 1733 by Peter Stephans as the perfect place to place a ferry to cross the two great rivers in the area, Robert Harper bought both the ferry and the surrounding land and named it after himself. After traveling through the area in 1783, Thomas Jefferson was awed by the natural beauty Harpers Ferry real estate offered. George Washington came to Harpers Ferry in 1785 when he was in charge of the Patowmack Company to see if the area needed bypass canals. This led to his decision in 1794 to propose that the US government create an arsenal and armory at Harpers Ferry. This armory flourished by producing much of the armament used for the US Army until its destruction in 1861 (to protect it from being captured in the Civil War. Industrialization was realized in the village when a rail line was built running from Harpers Ferry to Washington DC in 1833.
The Civil War was particularly hard on the tiny town of Harpers Ferry. Because of its ideal location in the Shenandoah Valley with railroad access, it was considered valuable by both sides of the war and fought over bitterly. Control of the town went back and forth between Confederate and Union troops eight times during 1861-1865 alone. After the destruction of the armory in 1861, no arms were ever produced in Harpers Ferry again.
In 1906, Harpers Ferry hosted the Niagra Movement, a 3-day event to help secure the civil rights of African American citizens. This was hailed as one of the most significant meetings for African American rights in the area. By 1944, the National Park Service took over control of Harpers Ferry and continues to maintain the Harpers Ferry National Park. Many of Harpers Ferry homes are registered historic homes.
Harpers Ferry Schools
There are two public elementary schools and one public middle school operating on Harpers Ferry real estate. Harpers Ferry public schools are run by the Jefferson County Schools system. High school students attend Jefferson High School in nearby Shenandoah Junction. There are also three private preschools and the private Bolivar Christian Academy that services children in Pre-K through 6th grade as well as 8th graders.
Things to See & Do in Historic Harpers Ferry
Just because Harpers Ferry is small, that doesn't mean that there is nothing to do here. For nature lovers, there is nothing better than visiting Harpers Ferry National Historic Park. With its miles of hiking trails and rock walls that beg to be climbed, you will be occupied for hours and hours.
The Appalachian Trail Conference offers miles of hiking along the Potomac River, over a foot bridge and even onto one of Harper Ferrys' oldest railroad bridges. The C&O Canal Towpath is over 180 miles long and is great for hikers and bicyclists. You can even rent a bicycle or get hiking supplies and equipment at The Outfitter at Harpers Ferry, Blueridge Outfitters or the River & Trail Outfitters.
The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers offer endless opportunities for water adventure. Butts Tubes, Inc. (Appalachian Whitewater Express), Historical River Tours, River & Trail Outfitters, Blueridge Outfitters and the River Riders offer several different rafting, tubing, canoeing, fishing and kayaking tours to get an up close look at the rivers that created Harpers Ferry in the first place.
For the more subdued landlovers, you can take a ghost tour in the evening through the lower part of Harpers Ferry and learn about some of the town's spookier past. If ghosts aren't your thing, visit the John Brown Wax Museum to see the life of Harpers Ferry's own abolitionist and his fight for an end to slavery in the United States.
Visit Harpers Ferry real estate for yourself to see why Thomas Jefferson was so enthralled with its beauty. It is sure to capture your heart as well.
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Harpers Ferry by the Numbers
Population: 312
Median Household Income: $61,900
Median Home Value: $227,800
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