Along this path lie the remains of revolutions. Six acres of the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry have been reduced to rubble. Buildings that buzzed with activity and innovation now lie covered with dirt. Train tracks that pushed to the edge of a new frontier lie abandoned. A stone marker stands where John Brown and his men struck their blow against slavery heralding new birth for the nation and new freedom for all its people.

(Timeline):
1795
"A place of immense strength"
George Washington chose Harpers Ferry as the site for the nation's second national armory.

1803
"Manufactured for me at this place"
Meriwether Lewis supplied his Corps of Discovery with guns and other goods produced here at the Harpers Ferry armory.

1819
"A greater degree of perfection...."
Inventor John Hall's new method of "fabricating arms exactly alike" revolutionized industry and pitted man against machine.

1836
"The Great National Project"
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad rumbled through the armory grounds, racing west against the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal.

1859
"Slavery is a state of war"
John Brown's attempt to end slavery by attacking the armory catapulted the nation into civil war.

1861
"Our armory is burnt"
Virginia militiamen descended on Harpers Ferry to seize arms and equipment from the federal armory. Retreating Federals set fire to the armory and arsenal.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Harpers Ferry, WV  |  Jefferson County  |  25425  |  West Virginia  |  United States of America

Armory Grounds
Home of Joseph Perkins
Lewis and Clark
Short-lived Sanctuary
A Perfect Heap of Ruins
John Brown Monument
My Favorite Boat
White Hall Tavern
Daring Escapes
Hayward Shepherd

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.