Harpers Ferry: West Virginia

Harpers Ferry is a small town at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Shenandoah River where the US states of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia meet.

The Civil War was disastrous for Harpers Ferry, which changed hands eight times between 1861 and 1865. Because of the town's strategic location on the railroad and at the northern end of the Shenandoah Valley, both Union and Confederate troops moved through Harpers Ferry frequently.

This patch is in no state of the US - it is part of the Civil war bridge pillars and is exactly at the trisection of the three states.




Harpers Ferry is located within Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and is also one of the few towns the Appalachian Trail directly passes through.



As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 307. This is a view from the top of 'Overlook Trail' (a funny name with a -ve connotation to it) - a 3 mile hike one way from the ground. Notice the few homes. I counted at least 7 churches during my walk through the historic town. I am standing in Maryland, the homes are in West Virginia and the terrains on the left are in Virginia.

Wonder whats in the thoughts? Country Roads by John Denver!

More pics here