Murphy Farm, Harpers Ferry

The trail to Murphy Farm passes through the woods and emerges at a split-rail fence. A lane takes you across the farm, now owned by the National Park Service.  You can read historical markers to learn the history of the farm, which became a battlefield in September of 1862. Later in the Civil War it was occupied by forces under General Sheridan.

In 1895, John Brown's Fort was moved to this property temporarily after being brought back from the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

"The Civil War affected not only the soldiers who fought but the families whose homes and towns became battlefields. Edmund H. Chambers bought this farm in 1848 and lived here with his family until the Civil War. Although Chambers was a loyal Unionist, the Union confiscated his farm in 1862, forcing the family from their home. The U.S. Army arranged for an appraisal of the farm in the event of damage. At the war’s end Chambers found the property destroyed and filed a claim demanding restitution. In 1888, 23 years after the end of the war, he was still trying to settle his claim. There is no evidence that he was ever paid. He died in 1890." 

I was glad to find a sign with maps because the trail was not well marked on the farm. It was basically a mown path through the grass. I wanted to find the vista because a woman had mentioned it when she described the trail to me. She was a volunteer at the Visitor Center here and I met her at a tour of Fishers Hill two year ago. At that time I made a mental note to explore this trail, but it took a while to get around to it. 

Sharing with Good Fences

and Signs, Signs