Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
The Iron Horse Wins
Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, September 26, 2008
1. The Iron Horse Wins Marker
The B&O Railroad, plagued by land disputes with the canal, crossed the Potomac at Harpers Ferry in 1837 and rapidly pushed on. By 1842 it reached Cumberland, Maryland, and a decade later the railroad was open to Wheeling on the Ohio River.
Business boomed at Harpers Ferry with the arrival of the railroad Refrigerated cars brought oysters and other luxuries to the town. Thousands of travelers visited Harpers Ferry as it became a gateway to the Ohio Valley.
The Civil War shattered Harpers Ferry's prosperity. Much of the town was destroyed, and Confederate raiders constantly sabotaged the railroad. Despite the war, the railroad escaped permanent damage, and the B&O survives today as a main artery of transportation in the United States.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Mule Falters (here, next to this marker); The Race to the Ohio (here, next to this marker); Early Travel (here, next to this marker); The Point (a few steps from this marker); Where Three National Trails Meet (within shouting distance of this marker); Capture of Harpers Ferry (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Capture of Harpers Ferry (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Capture of Harpers Ferry (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harpers Ferry.
Also see . . .
1. Impossible Challenge: The Baltimore and Ohio (B & O) Railroad in Maryland. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
2. Impossible Challenge II: Baltimore to Washington and Harpers Ferry from 1828 to 1994. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
3. East End: Harpers Ferry to Cumberland 1842 - 1992. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
4. The Great Road: The Building of the Baltimore and Ohio, the Nation's First Railroad 1828 - 1853. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
5. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in the Potomac Valley (Golden Years of Railroading). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
6. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in West Virginia (Images of Rail). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
7. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (Railroad Color History)
Photographed By Craig Swain
2. Markers at the Point
8. Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (MBI Railroad Color History). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
9. History of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
10. Baltimore and Ohio's Capitol Limited and National Limited (Great Passenger Trains). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
11. Route of the National Limited (Baltimore and Ohio Passenger Service, 1945 - 1971, Volume 1). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
12. Route of the Capitol Limited (Baltimore and Ohio Passenger Service, 1945 - 1971, Volume 2). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
13. The Baltimore and Ohio in the Civil War. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
14. The Jones-Imboden Raid: the Confederate Attempt to Destroy the B & O and Retake West Virginia. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
15. Chessie System (MBI Railroad Color History). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
16. Chessie System: Railroads in West Virginia. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
17. CSX (MBI Railroad Color History). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
18. The C & O Canal Companion. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
19. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (Images of America). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
20. Harpers Ferry, WV (Images of America). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
21. Harpers Ferry, WV (Then and Now). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
22. Six Years of Hell: Harpers Ferry During the Civil War. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
23. John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry: A Brief History with Documents (The Bedford Series). (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
24. Harpers Ferry Armory and New Technology. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
25. The Making of Harpers Ferry National Historic Park: A Devil, Two Rivers And A Dream. (Submitted on November 20, 2008, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland.)
Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, September 26, 2008
3. Remains of old railroad bridge crossing the Potomac River.
Photographed By Craig Swain, September 7, 2008
4. Railroad at Harpers Ferry
Looking from the modern railroad station at Harpers Ferry, down the tracks toward the tunnel through Maryland Heights.
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 24, 2009
5. Modern Railroad Bridge
As exiting the tunnel under Maryland Heights, the rail line splits with one line going along the south bank of the Potomac and the other paralleling the Shenandoah River. The bridge for the later crosses next to the old railroad bridge pilings (seen here in the foreground). A walking bridge allows visitors to cross the Potomac and look at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal lock at Harpers Ferry.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 17, 2009
6. Modern Day Harpers Ferry Train Station
The station is served by AMTRAC and MARC.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,534 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 4, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 4, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on May 10, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on May 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
