Go There Early, On Weekends, In Season
by jaydock
This is if you want to do the "full experience" If you a visiting just to look at the historical stuff, take pictures, and just basically do your own thing, then this doesn't necessarily apply.
Arrive there on the early side, I'd recommend around 9am or so. That way you are more likely to get a parking space in town, if that's what you want. On Potomac St. you have the option of 2 Hour parking spots or trying the train station lot. Be advised that they are very strict about the 2 Hour spots and if you park in the train lot you have to pay.
The majority of the shops close from 4pm to 6pm. Get there on the early side even if you don't plan to park in town. I think some of the restaurants stay open later, but personally I wouldn't bother with them.
If you know you want to shop or are relying on being able to purchase certain things, go on or as close as possible to the weekend. On weekdays some of the stores have very short hours or are closed all together.
Visit in the late spring, summer, fall or beginning of winter. The town ends it's season with two weeks of Old Tyme Christmas. After that it pretty much seems to shut down for the next few months until spring arrives.
River Bridges - 2
by Geoff_Wright
On June 14th, 1861, the original railway bridge here was blown up by Confederate troops. And on 7th February, 1862, Union troops burned all the buildings on The Point (where this picture was taken) to prevent Confederate sharpshooters from using them for cover. During the course of the Civil War, the railway bridge was destroyed and replaced nine times! After 1862, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad began erecting new iron spans, desingned by Wendell Bollam. Bollam's bridge carried the B&O Railroad main line until 1894, when the new bridge was opened. In 1924 floodwaters swept away 3 of the iron spans, but these were quickly replaced. Then, in 1936 the record flood destroyed this bridge for good.
The General Store
by Geoff_Wright
The General Store in the High Street. Much of the old town was destroyed during the Civil War, and it's not easy to identify which buildings may or may not be pre-war. Perhaps that's a good thing. Throughout the course of the war, Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times!
More Recent Storm Damage
by Geoff_Wright
We visited Harpers Ferry just over a week after tropical storm Isobel struck. this storm swept through Virginia, and headed up into Pennsylvania - via Harpers Ferry! Here you see a fairly modern house supporting a couple of mature trees. I didn't see what damage, if any, had been caused to the rear of the house, but those trees ought to be moved soon!
Harpers Ferry Cemetery
by Geoff_Wright
A short walk up from the old town, and behind the church, which was under restoration at the time of our visit, you will find the Cemetery. The site of the cemetery was given to the town by a local landowner, but I can't find my notes!! However, it's a pleasant walk through the cemetary, and time spent looking at some headstones failed to show any that were there as a reminder of the Civil War. That's not to say there aren't any, but I never came across any. Follow the little path towards the houses, and you will find a road that will lead you back to the top of the High Street. Just keep on walking, don't try to take what might appear to be short cuts. They aren't! and you will pass the house with the vintage autos outside, on the left.
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John Brown Wax Museum
Burnside's Bridge at Antietam
Boliver Heights, Harpers Ferry
Shenandoah River near Front Royal, VA
