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

Sweets for Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

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

Sweets for Harpers Ferry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 24, 2016

1. Sweets for Harpers Ferry Marker

Inscription. The enticing smell of bread, cakes, candies, and pies undoubtedly attracted many customers to Frederick Roeder's Confectionery, making it a prosperous business from 1845 to 1861. In addition to his store, it is reported that he carried small pies to the train station to sell to hungry passengers before the days of dining cars. By 1856, Roeder was so successful that he enlarged this structure by one and a half stories, creating much needed space for his business and family of 7 children. Thriving in his adopted homeland, this German baker turned skills from his native country into sumptuous treats for his friends, neighbors, and community.

Caption for the pencil sketch of the interior of the Confectionery:
Artist, Steven N. Patricia.

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 1845.

Location. 39° 19.399′ N, 77° 43.84′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from High Street. The interpretive marker is located inside the Confectionery. 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: Casualty of War (here, next to this marker); "A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step." (a few steps from this marker); Trail to Upper Harpers Ferry (within shouting distance of this marker); White Hall Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Harper House Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Springhouses and Root Cellars (within shouting distance of this marker); Harper House: The Mansion on the Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis and Clark (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harpers Ferry.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Harper House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Confectionary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 17, 2009

2. Confectionary

The marker stands in the doorway to the left.

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 24, 2016

3. Sweets for Harpers Ferry Marker

Frederick Roeder's Confectionery, with the marker just inside the door to the left.

View of the exterior of the Roeder Confectionery, inside which can be found the interpretive marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, June 29, 2008

4. View of the exterior of the Roeder Confectionery, inside which can be found the interpretive marker

Interior of Roeder's Confectionery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, June 29, 2008

5. Interior of Roeder's Confectionery

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,276 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 6, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on December 10, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on November 6, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5. submitted on December 5, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.