Established in the 1700's, it is a little town with a big infuence on American History, in large part due to its geographic location. Situated where 2 rivers and 3 states come together and at the midpoint of the Appalacian Trail, it became a strategic location during the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War.

It is the location of John Brown's Raid in 1859, an attempt to liberate the slaves and considered a catalyst for the Civil War. Home to Storer College, a college for former slaves that opened in 1865 and closed its doors in 1955.

Most of Harpers Ferry was designated as a National Historical Park in 1944 and the parts of the town not designated as part of the Park are considered to be in the Harpers Ferry Historic District.

As of the 2020 Census, the population of Harpers Ferry is less than 300 people.