HARPERS FERRY, West Virginia, United States — Stephenson's Hotel, a restored 19th-century building, stands on Shenandoah Street in the Lower Town area of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. This historic structure, once a bustling hotel during the pre-Civil War era, now serves as a preserved example of antebellum architecture and commerce in this significant American town.
Photograph by David Coleman. Stephenson's Hotel, located on Shenandoah Street in the heart of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is a well-preserved example of 19th-century commercial architecture. This historic building, now part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, offers visitors a glimpse into the town's bustling past as an important transportation hub and industrial center. Built in the early 19th century, Stephenson's Hotel served travelers and businessmen during a pivotal period in American history. Its existence reflects Harpers Ferry's strategic location at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, which made the town a natural stopping point for those traveling west or conducting business with the nearby Armory and Arsenal. The hotel's architecture is typical of the Federal style popular in the early 19th century, featuring a symmetrical façade, large windows, and a prominent entrance. Its sturdy construction allowed it to survive the tumultuous events of the Civil War era, including John Brown's raid in 1859 and subsequent military occupations during the conflict. Stephenson's Hotel would have been a witness to many significant historical events and likely hosted notable figures of the time. It stood during Meriwether Lewis's visit to Harpers Ferry to obtain supplies for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and throughout the period when the town was a center of industrial innovation and weapons manufacturing. Today, the restored Stephenson's Hotel stands as a testament to Harpers Ferry's rich history. As part of the National Historical Park, it helps to interpret the town's role in American commerce, transportation, and the lead-up to the Civil War. The building's preservation allows visitors to step back in time and imagine the bustle of a 19th-century hotel in a strategically important American town.
Size: 6706px × 4476px
Location: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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