Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Federal Armory
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 20, 2006
1. Federal Armory Marker
In an effort to increase the number of small arms for defense of the United States, George Washington established a Federal armory here in 1794. The rivers provided power for the machinery; surrounding mountains provided iron ore for gun barrels and hardwoods for charcoal and gun stocks.
In 60 years, the armory manufactured more than 500,000 muskets, rifles, and rifle-muskets. At its peak in 1850, the armory employed over 400 workers.
In 1861, Southern forces transported the captured armory machinery to Richmond and Fayetteville, where it became the heart and blood of Confederate ordnance. With the armory destroyed, Harpers Ferry’s economy and fortunes declined.
In 1892, the railroad covered the armory site with a 14-foot embankment. The monument in front of you marks the site of the fire-engine house, better known as John Brown’s Fort.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1794.
Location. 39° 19.39′ N, 77° 43.777′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is on South Potomac Street, on the right when traveling east.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Brown (here, next to this marker); "The War That Ended Slavery" (a few steps from this marker); A Nation's Armory (a few steps from this marker); Weapons Under Fire (a few steps from this marker); John Brown Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); John Brown Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); John Brown's Last Stand (within shouting distance of this marker); Large Arsenal (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harpers Ferry.
More about this marker. A photograph of the Armory appears at the top of the marker with the caption “Main entrance in 1865. In 1859, 20 brick workshops and offices extended in a double row for more than 600 yards along the Potomac shoreline.”
Also see . . . Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. National Park Service. (Submitted on October 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, October 11, 2006
2. John Brown’s Fort
This photo of the Fort was taken from in front of the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, October 11, 2006
3. John Brown’s Fort
The Federal Armory marker can be seen to the right of the Fort in this photo. The marker is in the Lower Town at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,692 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
