Virginius Island and the Shenandoah Canal

Early Industrial Development in the “Back Country”

“In 1824, the “Island in the Shenandoah River near Harpers Ferry,” containing about 13 acres was originally called Stubblefield’s Island.” (Walker’s Guide to Harpers Ferry) It later became incorporated into the town of Harpers Ferry and was known as Virginius Island.

Mills and dwellings of all types sprung up on Virginius, a cotton factory, flour mill, sawmill, machine shop, iron foundry, blacksmith shop, and a carriage factory.

River flooding was prevalent, and in 1852 it struck with a vengeance. A subsequent flood in 1870 destroyed much of the island’s commercial base. By 1924, the river had reclaimed the land.

The Shenandoah Canal

George Washington was the first president of the Potowmack Company which was formed to open up navigation on the Potomac River as he sort to make the river the route to the western regions of Maryland and Virginia.

The technology employed sought to deepen existing river channels above and below bypass canals thus bypassing the rapids of the river. In1806 work began on a 580 yard canal. The boats that traveled this route were called gundalows –“narrow flatbottom barges about nine feet wide and from 76 to 90 feet long.” (Walker’s Guide to Harpers Ferry)

The Civil War saw the end to the use of the canal but several attempts were made to reopen the canal after the war only to be terminated after the flood of 1870.