50 States Challenge: West Virginia

July 29, 2012

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

My visit to West Virginia was an extremely quick trip.  On my way back to good old PA from Virginia with Mike, Herbie, and Nicole we decided to stop at Harpers Ferry on the suggestion of Nicole who previously visited the area.

We walked around the town, stopping into a few of the stores all set up in the fashion of the times.  Many of the items were made using similar machinery on display and a lot of the old structures still remain with information provided to explain their previous purpose.

Obviously, the beautiful view of the Shenandoah River meeting the Potomac was enjoyed by all, including a few tubers who floated lazily along.

The most impressive site was the seemingly 1930s/1940s era advertisement placed on a rock.  I'm still not sure what it says.  I feel like the bottom word starts with "POW."  In any case, it amazed me that there was a time when this rock could be so easily defaced.

We then watched a retelling of John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.  In 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a raid of Harpers Ferry's armory, successfully capturing it for three days.  Before being demolished, basically.  The armory stands and I sort of couldn't help touching it while walking past it.

While quick, I found the brief stop in West Virginia to be surprising.  Unfortunately, I held a few West Virginia stereotypes and Harpers Ferry was a nice reminder not to believe everything you hear.