HARPERS FERRY
Native American history in the region dates back to at least 8,000 years ago. The Tuscarora people were the last of the native peoples known to inhabit the area in large numbers, essentially
vanishing in the early 18th century. One of these European immigrants, Robert Harper, obtained a patent for the land from
the Virginia legislature in 1751. Note that prior to 1863, West Virginia was still a part of Virginia. The town
was originally known as Shenandoah Falls at Mr. Harper's Ferry (1763) due to the ferry business Robert Harper managed and
operated.
Abolitionist John Brown led an armed group in the capture of the armory in 1859. Brown had hoped he would be
able to arm the slaves and lead them against U.S. forces in a rebellion to overthrow slavery. After his capture in the armory by a group of Marines (led by U.S. Army Colonel Robert E. Lee), Brown was hanged, predicting in his last words that civil war was looming on the horizon,
a prediction that came true less than two years later. The most important building remaining from John Brown's raid is the
firehouse, now called John Brown's Fort, where he resisted the Marines.