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

Floods

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 12, 2007

1. Floods Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Waterpower built this town, and the power of the water eventually destroyed it.

The destruction of the Federal Armory during the Civil War began the town's decline. Many people who had left Harpers Ferry during the war did return, only to be driven away again - and this time permanently - by the devastating flood of 1870 and those that soon followed. Harpers Ferry never fully recovered.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 39° 19.337′ N, 77° 43.838′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Shenandoah Street (Business U.S. 340) and Market Street, on the right when traveling east on Shenandoah Street. Marker is in the Lower Town at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Shenandoah Street about 1880 (a few steps from this marker); A Government Factory Town No Longer (within shouting distance of this marker); Market House (within shouting distance

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker); Home of Samuel Annin (within shouting distance of this marker); Armory Workers (within shouting distance of this marker); Casualties of Time (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); High Street in 1886 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harpers Ferry.

More about this marker. On the left side of the marker is a photo of Lower Town flooded in 1972.

Also see . . . Memorable Floods at Harpers Ferry. National Park Service page listing floods dating back to the 1740s. (Submitted on October 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Three Floods Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 12, 2007

2. Three Floods Markers

Floods Photos image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 12, 2007

3. Floods Photos

One of the Floods Markers shows photos from an 1889 flood.

Twentieth Century Floods image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 12, 2007

4. Twentieth Century Floods

Another Floods Marker shows photos from 1924 and 1936 floods.

Flood High Water Marks image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, August 12, 2007

5. Flood High Water Marks

The highest flood crest recorded on the board occurred in 1936. Others noted include 1889, 1896, 1902, 1924, 1942, 1972, 1985, and 1996 (twice).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,218 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.