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

Historic Heights

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 11, 2007

1. Historic Heights Marker

Inscription.
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the Potomac and the Shenandoah Rivers, Harpers Ferry thrived as an industrial community during the first half of the 19th century. By 1860, nearly 3,000 residents lived in the Harpers Ferry area and its Federal armory produced more than 10,000 weapons per year.

Defending Harpers Ferry proved strategically important to both North and South when civil war erupted in 1861. To occupy and defend this border area, a military force had to fortify the surrounding heights. Both Union and Confederate armies discovered this a difficult task as Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times between 1861 and 1865.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 39° 19.422′ N, 77° 45.679′ W. Marker is near Bolivar, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of Whitman Avenue and Prospect Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Whitman Avenue. Located at the trail head for the Bolivar Heights walking trail. 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: Bolivar Heights Trail (here, next to this marker); Harpers Ferry (a few steps

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from this marker); Facing the Enemy (a few steps from this marker); Battle of Harpers Ferry / Union Stronghold (within shouting distance of this marker); Closing the Doors (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Year of War (within shouting distance of this marker); Rats in a Cage (within shouting distance of this marker); Casualties of War (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bolivar.

More about this marker. On the right side the marker displays a profile of the mountains surrounding Harpers Ferry and a map showing the rivers and mountains around the town.

Photographed by Henry T. McLin, July 2, 2009

2. Historic Heights Marker

View from the marker.

3-inch Ordnance Rifle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 11, 2007

3. 3-inch Ordnance Rifle

This artillery piece, forged in 1864 at Phoenix Iron Works, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, marks the location of one of the artillery redoubts on Bolivar Heights.

The entrance to Bolivar Heights image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 23, 2016

4. The entrance to Bolivar Heights

Bolivar Heights image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 23, 2016

5. Bolivar Heights

The walking trail is generally along the treeline to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,539 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on January 24, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on February 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on July 2, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on February 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on April 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.