Harpers Ferry

When my cousins from Scotland came to visit in June I tried to take them to as many different sites as possible. We visited Baltimore City, Philadelphia, Lancaster County PA, and Washington DC. I thought it would be nice to see some hills and farms in the countryside of Maryland so we headed up 70W to Harpers Ferry.

In attempt to see as many states as possible I thought Harpers Ferry would be a good destination since the town is located at the intersection of three states: Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. From where I am standing here on the railroad bridge I am actually standing in 3 states.

This is where the Shenandoah River empties into the Potomac River.

The Shendoah River and the Potomac Rivers

There is a footbridge that runs alongside the railroad tracks and over the river.

Jefferson Rock

Thomas Jefferson, one of the town's most famous tourists, visited Harpers Ferry in 1783 and climbed the hillside above Harper House. He pronounced the view of the water gap from this vantage point "one of the most stupendous scenes in nature" and "worth a voyage across the Atlantic." I hope my Scottish cousins agreed.

The town is built on the hillside. Here you can see the church on the hilltop from the bottom of town. Over the years this lower part of town has flooded many times.

Some of the shops have been restored to look as they might have in the 1800's.

The General Store

Old stone steps

Harper House

The church at the top of the hill

Old buildings have been lovingly restored