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

Power of the Potomac

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

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

Power of the Potomac Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Henry T. McLin

1. Power of the Potomac Marker

Inscription. The Potomac River races east past you with enough mountain-carving power to punch through the entire Blue Ridge to your right. Such energy easily powered the entire national armory from the early 1800s until 1861. Diverted by a dam upstream, river water flowed through the armory canal, dropping 22 feet over 1.5 miles. This falling water coursed through headraces (entry points) and followed underground tunnels, turning water wheels and turbines as it flowed through pipes in the armory factories. Finally the water exited the armory grounds through the tailraces (exit points) to rejoin the Potomac River.

Water flowed into the armory buildings like the Stock House (above) through a series of tunnels and pipes, turning gears and powering machinery on the factory floors.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.

Location. 39° 19.455′ N, 77° 43.805′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from Potomac Street, on the right when traveling west. 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

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of this marker: Found Underground (a few steps from this marker); Racing West (a few steps from this marker); Smith and Forging Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Tailrace (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Embankment (within shouting distance of this marker); By the aid of these machines... (within shouting distance of this marker); My Favorite Boat (within shouting distance of this marker); Mere Machines of Labor (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harpers Ferry.

Photographed by Henry T. McLin, July 1, 2009

2. Power of the Potomac Marker

Railroad bridge over the Potomac River behind the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Henry T. McLin, July 1, 2009

3. Railroad bridge over the Potomac River behind the marker.

Power Station at the Upstream End image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 17, 2009

4. Power Station at the Upstream End

At the upstream end of the headrace stands an old power station building. In this building, turbines converted water energy into electrical energy. This structure dates to 1925.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,005 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on July 6, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.