U.S. Army Firehouse - Harpers Ferry, WV
Posted by: 
bluesnote
N 39° 19.386 W 077° 43.769
18S E 264710 N 4356185
A converted firehouse in Harpers Ferry.
Waymark Code: WMZWN5
Location: West Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 01/14/2019
Views: 3
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."
Current Use: Museum
Year Originally Built: 1848
Year Retired: 1968
Is it open to the public?: Yes
Location: Harpers Ferry
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Visit Instructions:
You must actually visit the building to post a log. Post your own, current photo of the converted firehouse as proof of your visit. It can't be the exact same photo that is on the waymark page.