HARPERS FERRY, West Virginia, United States — The interior of John Brown's Fort, a key site in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, West Virginia. This building, originally the fire engine house of the Harpers Ferry Armory, was the location of abolitionist John Brown's last stand during his raid on October 17, 1859. The structure has been relocated from its original position to accommodate railroad construction.
Photograph by David Coleman. John Brown's Fort, located in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, West Virginia, is a small brick building that played a pivotal role in American history. Originally serving as the fire engine house for the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, this structure gained fame as the site of abolitionist John Brown's last stand during his raid on October 17, 1859. The fort's interior, preserved to reflect its 19th-century appearance, offers visitors a tangible connection to one of the most dramatic episodes of the pre-Civil War era. John Brown and his followers used this building as a refuge during their ill-fated attempt to initiate a slave rebellion. For 36 hours, Brown and his men held out against local militia and Marines led by then-Colonel Robert E. Lee before being captured. Despite its name, the building was never actually a fort. It earned this moniker due to its brief use as a stronghold during Brown's raid. The structure's current location is not its original site; it has been moved several times throughout its history. Its first relocation occurred in the 1890s to accommodate the construction of a new Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line. The building has since been returned to Lower Town Harpers Ferry, though not to its exact original location.
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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