Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

"A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step."

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

"A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step." Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by A. Taylor, July 13, 2014

1. "A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step." Marker

Inscription.
"A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step."
Lao Tzu

The stone steps to your left are part of the Appalachian Trail - a 2,200-mile footpath from Georgia to Maine. Climb the steps to some of the most scenic views in Harpers Ferry. Walk 300 yards to Jefferson Rock for a view that Thomas Jefferson described as "worth a voyage across the Atlantic."

Take a side trail to Lockwood House, Storer College, and the Appalachian Trail Visitor Center. Or keep walking 1,000 miles south to Springer Mountain, Georgia.

Begin your journey here.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists.

Location. 39° 19.388′ N, 77° 43.835′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It is on Appalachian Trail - High Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in the Eastern Panhandle. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Trail to Upper Harpers Ferry (here, next to this marker); Casualty of War

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(a few steps from this marker); Sweets for Harpers Ferry (a few steps from this marker); Harper House: The Mansion on the Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Harper House Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Springhouses and Root Cellars (within shouting distance of this marker); White Hall Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Harpers Ferry History (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harpers Ferry.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Harper House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by A. Taylor, July 13, 2014

2. "A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step." Marker

Marker is on right of the photo, to the right of the steps.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2018, by A. Taylor of Laurel, Maryland. This page has been viewed 543 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2018, by A. Taylor of Laurel, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.