Bolivar, West Viriginia
Originally called "Mudfort" reportedly because pathetic children from the Ferry were beaten back by mudballs thrown by superior children on the Heights. John Wager, grandnephew of Robert Harper, developed a lot of Bolivar. The Town of Bolivar was chartered in 1825 and predates Johnny-come-lately Harpers Ferry (1841). The rifle factories and other industry at the Ferry provided jobs, but Bolivar provided housing for Armorers with a construction boom 1835-1850. Bolivar is the site of the largest Union troop surrender (12,000) during the war. Bolivar's small distance from the chaos meant it wasnt destroyed as much as Harpers Ferry, and is a good representation of the times and architecture of the early to mid 1800's. WEBSITES [Town of Bolivar]
Harpers Ferry / Bolivar Architecture
A selection of Churches, Dormers, and Porches. Architecture is often all about characteristic details. Very often distinctive windows, doors, dormers, and porches can make or break how well a particular structure works. The untrained eye will say "that is a fine looking house" - the trained eye will show them the details that make it such.
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Harpers Ferry National Park
These are photos of builidings in Lower Town and Upper Town that are part of the Harpers Ferry National Park. Photos of buildings in the Town of Harpers Ferry Historic District are contained in another category. A couple of photos are not mine, and were taken from the National Archives, Library of Congress, or elsewhere. WEBSITES [Natl Park] [Historical Association]
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
The Town of Harpers Ferry is on the National Register of Historic Places as the Harpers Ferry Historic District established 1979. It is separate from the Harpers Ferry National Park. A lot of Harpers Ferry was destroyed during the war, and much of the architecture in Upper Town is turn of the century or later (1880-1930). There are of course of a good number of fine looking pre-Civil War structures left representing Harpers Ferry Armory heydays of the 1820-1850's. WEBSITES [Town of Harpers Ferry] [Business Net]
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