In the midst of the 1862 Maryland Campaign, Gen. Robert E. Lee dispatched part of his army to Harpers Ferry, Virginia, (modern-day West Virginia), to engage with a force of more than 12,000 Federals in the Confederate rear area. 17% of residents were under the age of 18; 3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 38% were from 45 to 64; and 23% were 65 years of age or older. Reference: LC Civil War Maps (2nd ed. Historically, Harpers Ferry is best known for John Brown's raid in 1859, in which he attempted to use the town and the weapons in its Federal Armory (munitions plant) as the base for a slave revolt, planned to expand south into Virginia. Together they produced most of the small arms for the U.S. Army. The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) interactive map, built cooperatively by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and National Park Service using ESRI’s Arc GIS Online mapping technology. The city's passenger rail station is at the West Virginia end of the historic railroad bridge across the Potomac River. Lewis and Clark Road Trips: Exploring the Trail Across America. Donations to the Trust are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law. Info: 800-562-9497. Inventor Captain John H. Hall pioneered the use of interchangeable parts in firearms manufactured at his rifle works at the armory between 1820 and 1840; his M1819 Hall rifle was the first breech-loading weapon adopted by the U.S. Gale, K. (2006). Take first right, proceed to KOA. That doesn't mean this area has to always be empty. You can also dive right into Harpers Ferry on unique 3D satellite map provided by Google Earth. [37], The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters, with yearly snowfall averaging 20.7 inches. As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 286 people, 131 households, and 78 families residing in the town. Exit WV Highway 340 at entrance to Harpers Ferry National Park. Amtrak provides service to Harpers Ferry two times a day (once in each direction) on the Capitol Limited. Five of the men were black: three free black men, one freed slave, and one fugitive slave. Printed edition of the preceding map indicating relief by hachures rather than by contour lines. [11]:12, In April 1751, Harper purchased 126 acres of land from Lord Fairfax. Lettering by Wm. John Brown's men were quickly pinned down by local citizens and militia, and forced to take refuge in the engine house adjacent to the armory. The town's garrison of 14,000 Federal troops played a key role in the Confederate invasion of Maryland in September 1862. When Starry reached nearby Charles Town, the church bells were rung to arouse the citizens from their sleep.