Near Bolivar in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Discover Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

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

Discover Harpers Ferry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 29, 2019

1. Discover Harpers Ferry Marker

Inscription. Enjoy over 3,000 acres of rivers, trails, and battlefields in historic Harpers Ferry
Near the Visitor Center: Battlefields and Trails Experience Harpers Ferry's tumultuous past. Pick up park trail maps and guides at the visitor center. Walk the Murphy Farm trail where W.E.B. DuBois marched for civil rights on the site of a former Civil War battlefield. Discover the story of the 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry by exploring Bolivar Heights and Schoolhouse Ridge battlefields.

In the Lower Town: Historic Village, Rivers, and Trails From here take the free shuttle bus to Lower Town. Explore Civil War-era homes, industry and shops. See where John Brown fought against slavery—catapulting the nation into the Civil War. Discover Camp Hill and the story of Storer College. Hike up Maryland Heights and enjoy the panoramic view of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. Walk the Appalachian Trail or bike along the C&O Canal Towpath.

Harpers Ferry and Beyond
People from the far corners of the earth will come here...
Henry T. McDonald, Storer College President

Battlefield Auto Tour
The tour begins here at the Visitor Center.

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All areas are open from dawn to dusk. Exhibit panels at sites give detailed information.

1. Bolivar Heights Site of five Civil War engagements. Panoramic views, trail.
2. Lower Bolivar Heights Site of 1862 skirmish near present-day road. Earthworks, trail, views.
3. Schoolhouse Ridge North Site of "Stonewall" Jackson's line during 1862 battle. Trail, views.
4. Schoolhouse Ridge South Site of Confederate flanking maneuver in 1862 battle. Trail, views.
5. Murphy-Chambers Farm Civil War and civil rights stories stories came together here. Panoramic views, trails.

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 39° 18.993′ N, 77° 45.422′ W. Marker is near Bolivar, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from Shoreline

Harpers Ferry and Beyond image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), December 29, 2019

2. Harpers Ferry and Beyond

Drive 0.2 miles south of Pointfield Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 171 Shoreline Drive, 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: The Trap Closes (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Victory (a few steps from this marker); Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (a few steps from this marker); A Union Predicament (a few steps from this marker); History in the Mountains (within shouting distance of this marker); On the Border (approx. 0.3 miles away); Home Becomes Battlefield (approx. 0.3 miles away);

Harpers Ferry Visitor Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 20, 2016

3. Harpers Ferry Visitor Center

From Civil War to Civil Rights / Battle of Harpers Ferry (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bolivar.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Jackson at Harpers Ferry (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Discover Harpers Ferry Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Rozzelle, July 7, 2026

4. Discover Harpers Ferry Marker in context

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 561 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on July 12, 2026, by David Rozzelle of Knoxville, Tennessee.