Charles Town in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

John Brown Scaffold

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, September 27, 2008

1. John Brown Scaffold Marker

Inscription. Within these grounds a short distance east of this marker is the site of the scaffold on which John Brown, leader of the Harpers Ferry raid, was executed December the Second, 1859.

Erected 1932 by Jefferson County Historical Society of West Virginia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 39° 17.146′ N, 77° 51.385′ W. Marker is in Charles Town, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It is on South Samuel Street south of Hunter Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 515 S Samuel St, Charles Town WV 25414, 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: Green And Copeland Jr. (a few steps from this marker); John Brown Hanging Site (a few steps from this marker); Site of the Execution of John Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); George Upshur Manning (approx. 0.2 miles away); Samuel Washington House (approx. 0.2 miles away); George Washington Turner (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sergeant Littleton Tazewell Cordell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Happy Retreat (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles Town.

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Marker on Samuel Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 12, 2011

2. Marker on Samuel Street

The Victorian house seen here behind the marker was built by militia commander Col. John T. Gibson. His men stood guard over John Brown to prevent any attempt to liberate him.

Lot where John Brown was hanged. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, September 27, 2008

3. Lot where John Brown was hanged.

Gibson-Todd House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Beverly Pfingsten, September 27, 2008

4. Gibson-Todd House

Built in 1892 by Col John Thomas Gibson, encompasses the site of John Brown's execution.

John Brown Scaffold site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 9, 2017

5. John Brown Scaffold site

On the far left side of the house (just out of view in the previous photo) is a marker on the actual site.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,637 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 17, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on April 13, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on October 17, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 5. submitted on April 25, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.