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Historic Timeline1763: Virginia General Assembly establishes the town of “Shenandoah Falls at Mr. Harper’s Ferry” 16 years after Robert Harper purchases 125 acres of land and begins operating a ferry service. 1783: Thomas Jefferson visits Harpers Ferry, writing, “The passage of the Patowmac through the Blue Ridge is perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature.” 1785: George Washington tours Harpers Ferry as president of the Patowmack Company. 1799: Construction of a federal armory begins after proposal by George Washington. 1803: Meriwether Lewis procures weapons and supplies from Harpers Ferry Armory for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. 1820: John H. Hall commences production of his patented breech-loading rifle for U.S. Government at Harpers Ferry. 1833: The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal is completed to Lock 33 across from Harpers Ferry. 1834: The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad reaches the Maryland shore opposite Harpers Ferry. 1859: John Brown’s raid occurs. 1861: American Civil War begins. Harpers Ferry changes hands between the United States and Confederacy eight times. 1862: Battle of Harpers Ferry takes place. 12,500 Union soldiers surrender, the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War. 1867: Reverend Dr. Nathan Cook Brackett opens “Storer Normal School” in the Lockwood House. It will grow into Storer College. 1896: Colored Women’s League takes pilgrimage to John Brown’s Fort. 1906: Civil rights organization the Niagara Movement holds first public meeting in the United States at Storer College. 1936: The record Flood of 1936 crests at 36.5 feet in Lower Town. 1944: Harpers Ferry National Monument established. 1955: Storer College closes. 1963: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park established. 1968: John Brown’s Fort is moved from the Storer College campus back to Lower Town Harpers Ferry. |
Last updated: October 17, 2022