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

A Nation's Armory

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

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

A Nation's Armory Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 18, 2009

1. A Nation's Armory Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

You are standing directly across the street from the main entrance of one of the nation's first military industrial complexes. The U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, now covered by an embankment of dirt and rubble, produced the deadliest weapons of its day from the early 1800s until the start of the Civil War in 1861. Gutted during the Civil War, the armory was later razed and mostly covered with rubble to make way for elevated train tracks. A stone obelisk on the rise in front of you marks the original location of what became known as John Brown's Fort.

Erected 2009 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

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

Location. 39° 19.394′ N, 77° 43.773′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Hog Alley and Potomac Street, on the right when traveling north on Hog Alley. Located next to "John Brown's Fort" in Lower Town Harpers Ferry. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Federal Armory (a few steps from this marker); "The War That Ended Slavery" (a few steps from this marker); John Brown (a few steps from this marker); Weapons Under Fire (a few steps from this marker); John Brown Fort (a few steps from this marker); John Brown's Last Stand (within shouting distance of this marker); John Brown Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Short-lived Sanctuary (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 is a photo of the old Armory, with the caption John Brown's Fort in its original location on the armory grounds during the Civil War.

John Brown's Fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 18, 2009

2. John Brown's Fort

Looking from the railroad embankment at the current location of John Brown's Fort. The marker stands (back to the camera) at the center left. The crowd is gathered to observe the 150 anniversary of John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry.

Obelisk Marking the Original Site of John Brown's Fort image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, October 18, 2009

3. Obelisk Marking the Original Site of John Brown's Fort

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,338 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.