John Brown's Fort was initially built in 1848 for use as a guard and fire engine house by the federal Harpers Ferry Armory, in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. An 1848 military report described the building as "An engine and guard-house 35 1/2 x 24 feet, one story brick, covered with slate, and having copper gutters and down spouts…"
John Brown's Fort in 2013
Drawing published in 1883. Note the words over the doors and the steep hill behind.
Harper's Ferry Armory in 1862, with the fire engine house on the left
Illustration of the interior of the engine house immediately before the door is broken down. Note the hostages on the left.
The Harpers Ferry Armory, more formally known as the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, was the second federal armory created by the United States government; the first was the Springfield Armory. It was located in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, which since 1863 has been part of West Virginia. It was both an arsenal, manufacturing firearms, and an armory, a storehouse for firearms. Along with the Springfield Armory, it was instrumental in the development of machining techniques to make interchangeable parts of precisely the same dimensions.
Harpers Ferry Armory in 1862
Gun smithing equipment on display at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
The burning of the United States arsenal at Harper's Ferry, 10 P.M. April 18, 1861, sketched by D. H. Strother.
Harpers Ferry in 1865, looking east (downstream); the ruins of the musket factory can be seen in the center
