John Brown's Fort - Harpers Ferry, WV
Posted by: 
bluesnote
N 39° 19.407 W 077° 43.794
18S E 264675 N 4356225
The fort originally consisted of of the lower half of Harpers Ferry. Today, a stone obelisk marks its center and all that remains are a few mounds and the original Fire House.
Waymark Code: WMZWNF
Location: West Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 01/14/2019
Views: 5
The plaque says, "Commemorated here is the original location of the "John Brown Fort" - the Federal Armory's fire-ending house, where abolitionist John Brown and his raiders were captured by U.S. Marines on October 18, 1859. If you look to the south, you will see the Fort about 150 feet from here. The Fort was first moved in 1891 and its original foundation covered by the railroad in 1892."
The plaque says, "John Brown's Fort
Here is a building with a curious past. Since its construction in 1848, it has been vandalized, dismantled, and moved four times - all because of its fame as John Brown's stronghold.
[Image depicting the scene of the U.S. Marines set to raid the stronghold]
The Fort's 'Movements'
1848 - Built as fire-engine house for U.S. Armory
1859 - Serves as stronghold for John Brown and his raiders.
1861-1865 - Escapes destruction during Civil War (only armory building to do so) but is vandalized by souvenir-hunting Union and Confederate soldiers and later travelers.
1891 - Dismantled and transported to Chicago Exposition.
1895 - Rescued from conversion to stable and brought back to Harpers Ferry area to be exhibited on a farm.
1909 - Purchased by Sorer College and moved to campus.
1968 - Moved by National Park Service to within 150 feet of its original location.
[Image of John Brown]
On October 16, 1859, the abolitionist John Brown and his men attacked Harpers Ferry. By the following afternoon the local militia had penned the raiders in this building. United States Marines stormed the building at dawn on the 18th and captured Brown. Convicted of murder, treason, and inciting slaves to rebellion, he was hanged in nearby Charles Town in December 2, 1859."
The year the "Fort" was constructed or started.: 1848
Name of "Country" or "Nation" that constructed this "Fort": US Army
Was this "Fort" involved in any armed conflicts?: Yes it was
What was the primary purpose of this "Historic Fort"?: For protecting a travel or shipping route
Current condition: Mostly destroyed
This site is administered by ----: NPS
If admission is charged -: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Open to the public?: Open or unrestricted access.
Official or advertised web-page: Not listed
Link to web-site that best describes this "Historic Fort": Not listed
Link if this "Fort" is registered on your Countries/ State "Registry of Historical Sites or Buildi: Not listed
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