River Bridges - 1
by Geoff_Wright
Due to the convergence of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Winchester and Potomac Railroad, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in the mid-1830's, Harpers Ferry became an area of economic and industrial growth, which lasted well into the 1850's. The ferry service that Robert Harper managed in the mid-1700's became obsolete in the early 1800's, replaced by the bridges that spanned the Potomac and Shenondoah Rivers.
This photo shows the stumps of the original railroad brigde across the Potomac River. This bridge was originally a covered bridge, 900 feet in length. when the new bridge, on the left, was built, the old bridge continued to be used as a highway.
Some of the Town
by Geoff_Wright
Although the town of Harpers Ferry is a National Historic Park, several hundred people do live here, although, other than the Park itself and a number of shops, there is no other industry.
This is a photo of a shop specialising in Ice Cream, which I think was closed at the time of our visit. Most stores are here to cater for the tourist, and I'm not sure if I actually saw a food store - certainly no supermarket!
Classic Buildings
by Geoff_Wright
The historic lower town has been restored to a great extent. Some buildings, like the Armoury appear to have been completely rebuilt, whereas others, like these fine houses, appear to have been restored in outward appearance.
After the War, Harpers Ferry never recovered its previous industries, and during the past hundred years or so has suffered ten major floods, which, in time, brought to a complete close those industries that struggled on. In 1972, tropical storm Agnas severely damaged the remains of the old town, but marked the beginning of a renewed interest in the restoration of the town for historical and educational purposes.
Jefferson Rock (Cont'd)
by Geoff_Wright
This is a view of the confluence of the Potomac River and the Shenondoah River at Harpers Ferry, taken from Jefferson Rock. And this is (part of) the view Thomas Jefferson saw when he stood on this rock and penned a memorable description of the view in his "Notes on the State of Virginia". His remarks conclude with the emphatic, and well-known declaration:
"This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic"
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
by Geoff_Wright
Returning now to the lower (old) town, pass underneath the railroad bridge, and to your left you will find a footpath that runs alongside the steel railway bridge which crosses the Potomac River. Walk over this bridge, and on the other side you'll be in Maryland!
The signpost in this photo had actually been washed out by the floodwaters of the Potomac River a few days before our visit. Following tropical storm Isobel, the waters were still very high, many feet above the norm. The riverbank here had been quite badly damaged, and was strewn with bolders and stones, but still reasonably easy to walk over.
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Old Town
Wine from the wine stores in Harpers Ferry
Shenandoah River near Front Royal, VA
Confluence of Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers
