photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Helen Betts | all galleries >> Rediscovering Home >> Washington Rediscovered: Year 3 >> Historic Harpers Ferry: A Whirlwind Visit > Downtown Harpers Ferry
previous | next
08-Jun-2019

Downtown Harpers Ferry

We took an hour-and-a-half drive the other day to historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Due to its strategic location at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, it hosted the first ferry and then first railroad bridge across the Potomac and served as the only rail link between the Northern and Southern states during the Civil War. It was also the site of the famous raid by abolitionist John Brown on the town’s arsenal in 1859 in the hope of starting a slave revolt across the South, which was put down by then-Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee. Brown was subsequently tried and hanged for treason.

We didn’t actually see a whole lot because it took us more than an hour to figure out that we had to park far away at the national historic park headquarters and take a shuttle in to town. It was also packed with tourists and hikers on their way to the Appalachian Trail. I think it would be worth another visit but on a weekday.

Best to view in "Original" because other versions resized by Pbase are decidedly unsharp.

Happy to be here, posted earlier:

Sony RX10 IV
1/200s f/8.0 at 8.8mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
previous | next
share
Yiannis Pavlis22-Jun-2019 13:00
very nice capture !
Jean D12-Jun-2019 01:36
A fine view, well presented, Helen. ~V
Julie Oldfield12-Jun-2019 00:39
It definitely would be. Nice POV in this composition. Interesting looking pavement. V
danad10-Jun-2019 08:26
Superb perspective through those interesting houses. V.
Gill Kopy10-Jun-2019 00:31
It looks very nicely preserved - and not a vehicle in sight - ha ha !! Interesting history V
PauloCGama09-Jun-2019 23:05
Historic buildings are super. VV
janescottcumming09-Jun-2019 22:38
My son and daughter-in-law spent a weekend down there and they really liked it. Pretty area. Nice view of the town. V
Colin Storey09-Jun-2019 20:24
Great street scene.
Blandine Mangin09-Jun-2019 19:26
une belle perspective pour cette bien jolie petite rue ! v
Kuriacose Joseph09-Jun-2019 18:56
I love this place. I have made several visits over the years. There is much to see in and around the town. The C&O canal is on the other side of the Potomac.
Karen Stuebing09-Jun-2019 18:55
Wonderful capture of this historic town. Love looking down the street with the tourists walking about. Outstanding tones and detail. V.
globalgadabout09-Jun-2019 18:37
clear signs of history here, and perhaps thanks to the shuttle system the street is not clogged with cars..
John Reynolds LRPS09-Jun-2019 18:13
Just had a look at this place on Google Earth. The Staircase Rapids on the Shenandoah River must be impressive when the river is full.
John Reynolds LRPS09-Jun-2019 18:02
Seems interesting. Probably worth that second visit. V.
Tom Munson09-Jun-2019 17:24
Sound s like you had a great day. Nice shot.
carol j. phipps09-Jun-2019 16:37
Outstanding pov, pleasing composition. V
Jim Coffman09-Jun-2019 16:34
A very nice image, Helen.. I was there 50 years ago...
bill friedlander09-Jun-2019 16:30
Great shot with a good feel for what the town looked like 150 years ago. V
Long Bach Nguyen09-Jun-2019 16:14
Beautiful composition and love those historic building and your leading line of the street. Last time I was here was right after high school visiting my uncle and we toured this place in 1984