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

Racing West

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

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

Racing West Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 11, 2009

1. Racing West Marker

Inscription. On this spot in 1838 the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) pulled into the lead in the race for transportation industry dominance with the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (C&O). Denied across to the Maryland side of the river, the B&O struck a deal with the armory to build an elevated train trestle on the river wall beneath your feet. Continuing west along what was then the Virginia side of the river, the B&O Railroad quickly passed the C&O Canal and won the race west, becoming the first successful railroad in the United States.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 39° 19.447′ N, 77° 43.794′ 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.

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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: Smith and Forging Shop (a few steps from this marker); My Favorite Boat (a few steps from this marker); Found Underground (a few steps from this marker); Power of the Potomac (a few steps from this marker); Tailrace (within shouting distance of this marker); Home of Joseph Perkins (within shouting distance of this marker); A Perfect Heap of Ruins (within shouting distance of this marker); Daring Escapes (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harpers Ferry.

More about this marker. The background of the marker shows a train passing the C&O Canal. Unable to pass over the hills around you, the railroad and the canal both followed the river through a gap
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 11, 2009

2. Racing West Marker
The marker stands next to the river wall along the Potomac.
in the Blue Ridge at Harpers Ferry. An inset photo shows the railroad trestle. The railroad trestle along the river wall above was supported by thick beams that were laid into the grooves in the wall in front of you.

Modern Railroad Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 11, 2009

3. Modern Railroad Bridge

The B&O has shifted the rail lines at least three times. The first, mentioned on the marker, passed along the river wall. The second passed further inland along what is today a berm along Potomac Street. The last crosses the river at a less critical angle to a point roughly in the middle of the old Armory site.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 883 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 17, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.