An important historical place in Harper Ferry's, and America's, History…read more This fort is one of the most important and well-known buildings in Harpers Ferry. At first glance it looks like a simple brick firehouse with arched doors that were open when we visited. It had a closed office that a tour guide told us led to a small second floor, but it holds a major place in American history. This is the site of John Brown's raid in 1859. He and his group of abolitionists tried to seize the federal arsenal and start a movement against slavery. The raid failed and Brown was captured, but the event pushed the country closer to the Civil War and made the fort a symbol of both freedom and conflict. The fort has been moved several times over the years, but now sits in the lower town area of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, not far from the confluence of the rivers and the other historic buildings. There are signs nearby that explain its background and the story of the raid. Anybody can walk right up to the structure and walk and look inside. Admission is included with the entry fee for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, which covers parking and the shuttle bus system, so there is no separate charge to see the fort itself. The site does not have a tour guide or park ranger, but the informational signs and a decent google search will provide you information on the site. If you are going to visit the city, this is a must see site for you. The visit may seem simple on the surface because it is just a small brick building, but understanding its history gives you a true sense of how one short event helped shape the nation's history. It is a place that makes you stop, think, and remember the struggles that led to freedom and the change that made our country what it is today.

The history of John Brown's raid is fascinating. Unfortunately, the "Fort" leaves a lot to be…read moredesired. The building is started out as a storage area for the local fire engine, but was taken over by John Brown during his attempt to capture the nearby U.S. Armory. The insurrectionist took cover in this building until COL Robert E. Lee (yes, THAT Lee) lead an attack which captured Brown and his men. The building has been dismantled and rebuilt several times, so it isn't even all that original. It's not even on its original spot. Inside, all you see are a few plaques and a historic fire engine. That's all, folks. If you're interested in the history of the place, your best bet is to visit the NPS station nearby, and look for a tour. Visiting here should take no more than a few minutes.

Tony and I spent the night in Harper's Ferry WV. We were going to tour the Historical Park but…read moredecided to comeback at a later date to devote our time and a full day here. There is so much to see. It cost $20 for 1-3 consecutive days per vehicle. We did stop at the Shenandoah Pulp Factory Ruins to explore and investigate. Be sure to spray down with your Buggie Spray or be prepared to be dinner for the insect wildlife!!! It has a small pullover parking area for about 2 cars to share. There is some signage about it's history. Highly recommend if you're in the area. I'm definitely going back!!!

Super cool landmark…read more As per the plaque: Constructed in 1860, the Gatehouse was designed by the Baltimore firm of Thomas and James M. Dixon. Built in Tudor Revival Style, it provided for two living units, one on each side of the archway. The Gatehouse resembled a Swiss chalet and became a trademark of the Sheppard. The neighborhood children viewed it as the home of Hansel and Gretel. A tenant alwavs lived in the Gatehouse until 2005. The beautiful Rhododendron Drive was historically entered by driving through the Gatehouse. In 2002 the entire Charles Street entrance was reconstructed and cars no longer entered through the Archway.

We have driven by this battlefield dozens of times and finally decided to stop and visit…read more Easy parking, main ealjway was realtively even, and numerous historic markers to read about the civil war era battles in the area. There is a wooded path too. Lovely mountain views Trash free park.....take out Whatever you bring in

A great place to start your tour of Harpers Ferry and its history…read moreBolivar Heights sits just above Harpers Ferry and, seems like a great place to start a tour of the entire area. We got a guided tour and our tour guide started here because from here you can see the hills that represent "the hole" the place where the 2 rivers, the Potomac and the Shenandoah connect. It gives you a wide open look at the town, the rivers, and the surrounding ridgelines. It's a quiet, grassy ridge with a few cannon placements and clear informational signs. It's easy to understand why this high ground mattered during the Civil War.I like this stop because it was simple and stress-free. There is a small parking area, short mostly-level paths, and lots of room to wander without crowds. The signs along the path do a nice job of explaining the fighting here and how it connects to the larger Harpers Ferry story. The cannons are in good shape but always be careful not to stick your hand inside one as small creatures like to use them also. If you want a picture with a cannon closeup or in the background then this is a good place for you. Overall, Bolivar Heights battlefield is an easy, worthwhile add to a Harpers Ferry visit. If you're driving the park's battle sites, put this one near the top of the list and enjoy the view.

It may be just a field but it is worth the visit for its history…read moreThis is one of the many sites that makes Harpers Ferry a fascinating place to visit. The town is historically significant as the site of John Brown's 1859 raid on the U.S. Armory. This single event increased the tensions over slavery and pushed the nation closer to the Civil War. The town was also an important location during the war itself, changing hands multiple times due to its armory, rivers, and railroads. The Armory site is between John Brown's Fort and the Train Station. It may seem like an empty field but it has posted informational signs that tell the story of the armory. Back in the late 1700s through mid-1800s, the Armory was a major industrial site. The signs tell where the building stood that made the US rifles and muskets large numbers. The buildings are gone but the land still holds the echoes of its history. It is located next to the river and there is a small path down to the river that gives some really nice views especially if trains are coming by the tracks above. Overall, the Armory site may not be a flashy or heavily built-up museum, but it represents a major place for America. If you like history -- especially early U.S. industrial history, Civil War era, or the story of abolition -- it's very much worth stopping by.

So gorgeous! The history of this battlefield is unlike any other. The preservation the NPS and…read moreothers have helped put into this park is incredible. I loved that they had the driving option available and you can connect it with an audible, especially on a hot day, it is such a large area I don't know how a person could walk it! It's $20 a vehicle, and so worth it.

Visiting Antietam was a wonderful experience and the battlefield is very well-preserved. There's a…read morewealth of information available here and we learned a large amount about the battle that we hadn't known. The NPS has done a great job here and we really enjoyed being able to visit.

This is my favorite area in Patapsco state park, I've brought many friends and family here over the…read moreyears. It's beautiful, you can find the ruins of an old mining camp and religious boarding school here. There's even a decent spot to jump off the train tracks into the water below, although take care because the water can be shallow in spots.

Probably one of the more interesting hikes that I have done in awhile. The hike will be quite…read moreshort, but you got hills and steps to get your work out on. I think the feel of the place is supposed to be spooky, unfortunately, I picked a spring break day to do it and there were enough teenagers running around here like savages (just kidding, they were all really sweet) it doesn't really have a scary feel to it at all. To explain the ruins, it was Roman Catholic school in Ilchester, Maryland. The ruins are near Ilchester and Bonnie Branch roads (so the Yelp location is pretty straight on). It was called hell house in the 70s after it was abandoned and vandalized and rumors have it a strange cult started living there. It also had an over zealous caretaker who had a gun and some dogs and would assault vandals. He was displaced after the school was set ablaze by arsonists. Hell House altar structure that most people take pictures of is at the top of a very steep hill, about a mile in. It used to have a large metal cross, and it is a very unique place for a photoshoot. For easy access, park in the lot for patapsco state park (right past the train tracks) where the trailhead is and start coming up to the left of the train tracks.

A nice Homage to Storer College history in the heart of Harpers Ferry…read moreThis is located right off High Street near the lower part of the town on the north side of the road. The real Storer College is farther up the street and about 1/2 mile away from the museum. The schools' success was also the reason it eventually closed. The current college is used by the National Park Service for training and administrative functions. You can drive there and walk around the grounds if you wish but, if you want to learn about the history, then this museum or a tour guide is a much better option. Our group did both. One of our first stops as we got off the shuttle from the visitors center was to the museum. It is small, as museums go, but does a good job of telling the history of the college and reasons that it was started. The college, founded in 1867, provided education to formerly enslaved people and became a center for civil rights. It hosted an important meeting of the Niagara Movement in 1906. The Niagara movement was the precursor to the NAACP. Inside the museum, there are displays on the school's history, its role in African American education, and the Niagara Movement's effect. It is small but well laid-out and informative. It's a good, and important, stop for anyone that really wants to understand the importance of the town and its civil rights history.

I'm hoping that the folks down at Yelp don't decide to merge this with the State Park. The Memorial…read moreArch is its own thing and should remain separate as you can visit the memorial and not visit the park and vice-versa. The arch is 50 feet talll and was built and dedicated in 1896 and is claimed to be the only monument in the world dedicated to journalists killed in combat. As described by the man who built it, "In appearance the monument is quite odd. It is fifty feet high and forty feet broad. Above a Moorish arch sixteen feet high built of Hummelstown purple stone are super-imposed three Roman arches. These are flanked on one side with a square crenellated tower, producing a bizarre and picturesque effect. Niches in different places shelter the carving of two horses' heads, and symbolic terra cotta statuettes of Mercury, Electricity and Poetry." Unchanged for over a century, the arch had four names added in 2003: David Bloom, Michael Kelly, Elizabeth Neuffer, and Daniel Pearl. Hopefully, you recognize the names. On the face: SPEED - HEED Sept. 14 - 62 - 96 To the Army Correspondents and Artists 1861-65 Whose toils cheered the fireside Educated provinces of rustics into a bright nation of readers and gave incentive to narrate distant wars and explore dark lands. On the north side: O wondrous youth Through this grand ruth Runs my boy's life, its thread The General's fame, the battle's name The rolls of maimed and dead I bear with my thrilled soul astir And lonely thoughts and fears And am but history's courier To bind the conquering years A battle's ray, through ages gray To light to deeds sublime And flash the lustre of my day Down all the aisles of time War Correspondent Ballad - 1865 [Round number review 15600 overall - 645 in Maryland - 1104 of 2021.]

An absolute beautiful monument that sits right on the Appalachian Trail. There is a beautiful…read morepavilion, parking, bathrooms, water, and even campsites 1/2 Mike away along the AT. Gathland State Park is accessible from RT 67 and also RT 17 ( Burkittsville), and is of great historical significance during the Civil War as it was a gap in the ride held by the Confederates to delay the Union advance prior to the battle of Antietam. Beautiful area and a definite place to check out for history buffs or just a wonderful, quiet picnic, or a day hike. It is very clean and well shaded.