Near Bolivar in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Historic Heights
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 11, 2007
1. Historic Heights Marker
Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the Potomac and the Shenandoah Rivers, Harpers Ferry thrived as an industrial community during the first half of the 19th century. By 1860, nearly 3,000 residents lived in the Harpers Ferry area and its Federal armory produced more than 10,000 weapons per year.
Defending Harpers Ferry proved strategically important to both North and South when civil war erupted in 1861. To occupy and defend this border area, a military force had to fortify the surrounding heights. Both Union and Confederate armies discovered this a difficult task as Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times between 1861 and 1865.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 39° 19.422′ N, 77° 45.679′ W. Marker is near Bolivar, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Whitman Avenue and Prospect Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Whitman Avenue. Located at the trail head for the Bolivar Heights walking trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bolivar Heights Trail (here, next to this marker); Harpers Ferry (a few steps from this marker); Facing the Enemy
this page online
More about this marker. On the right side the marker displays a profile of the mountains surrounding Harpers Ferry and a map showing the rivers and mountains around the town.
Photographed By Henry T. McLin, July 2, 2009
2. Historic Heights Marker
View from the marker.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 11, 2007
3. 3-inch Ordnance Rifle
This artillery piece, forged in 1864 at Phoenix Iron Works, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, marks the location of one of the artillery redoubts on Bolivar Heights.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 23, 2016
4. The entrance to Bolivar Heights
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 23, 2016
5. Bolivar Heights
The walking trail is generally along the treeline to the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,316 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on January 24, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on February 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on July 2, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on February 11, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on April 26, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
