The Shenandoah Pulp Mill, built in 1887–1888 on Virginius Island in Harpers Ferry, was the last water-powered mill in the area, using flumes and turbines to grind wood into pulp for paper production, at its peak producing up to 15 tons a day. It operated for nearly half a century before closing in 1935 due to financial losses, and was destroyed the following year by a massive flood. Today, only its stone foundations remain, standing as a stark reminder of Harpers Ferry’s industrial era and the town’s dependence on river power.
Harpers Ferry is historically significant as the site of John Brown’s 1859 raid on the federal armory, an event that intensified national tensions over slavery and helped precipitate the Civil War. Its strategic location at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers made it a critical transportation and industrial hub in the 19th century, and during the war it changed hands between Union and Confederate forces multiple times. The town’s history reflects the intersection of abolitionism, military strategy, and early American industry, making it a key landmark in understanding the political and social fractures that shaped the United States.
