Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Shenandoah River
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 22, 2007
1. Shenandoah River Marker
The river signified both friend and enemy to the industrialists and residents here. As long as it stayed within its banks, the factories and mills harnessed its power to run machinery. When the Shenandoah ranged out of control, however, its once friendly power destroyed everything in its path.
The Shenandoah and its branches flow 150 miles through the fertile Shenandoah Valley, once described as "the breadbasket of the Confederacy." It empties into the Potomac River just downstream at Harpers Ferry.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 19.249′ N, 77° 44.07′ W. Marker was in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It could be reached from Shenandoah Street (
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in the Eastern Panhandle. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: Water Tunnels (a few steps from this marker); Cotton Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Shenandoah Canal (about 400 feet away); River Wall (about 600 feet away); Jonathan Child House (about 600 feet away); Jefferson Rock (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Jefferson Rock (about 600 feet away); Island Mills (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harpers Ferry.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Virginius Island Trail (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. On the lower left is a map of the Shenandoah Valley showing the course of the Shenandoah River. In the upper right is An 1864 drawing of the Shenandoah Valley from Maryland Heights, located across the Potomac River from Harpers Ferry.
Photographed by Shane Oliver, September 3, 2018
2. Former site of the Shenandoah River Marker
As of September 2018, the marker no longer exists
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 22, 2007
3. Shenandoah River Marker
Photographed by Paul Jordan, August 6, 2010
4. Shenandoah River Marker
During our visit, this marker was uprooted and out of place.
Photographed by Craig Swain, May 17, 2008
5. Shenandoah River at Virginius Island
Looking from the US 340 bridge upstream from Virginius Island. The island is on the left side of this view.
Photographed by Paul Jordan, August 6, 2010
6. Shenandoah River Marker
During our visit, this marker was uprooted and out of place.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2018. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,587 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on September 3, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 10, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on September 7, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 10, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 22, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. 5. submitted on May 10, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on August 22, 2010, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
