John Brown's Fort By Clarence S. Gee A fire engine house, a
guardhouse, a watchtower, a fort, a prison, a storage place for
junk, a World Fair exhibit, a campus museum, and a post for a
Ground Observer Corps. And in four different locations. No
wonder the little building, "humble in origin," now on the
grounds of Storer College at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, known
as "John Brown's Fort," is regarded as one of our most historic
buildings. In this "Fire Engine and Guard House" John Brown took
refuge when his raid on Harpers Ferry, in 1859, brought mounting
resistance. Here, he and the remnant of his faithful followers
were beaten down and captured by U. S. Marines under the command
of Colonel Robert E. Lee, and the hostages whom he had assembled
there with him were released. A new name now for the little
structure - "John Brown's Fort" - and later, new locations too.
The "Fort" was built in 1847 to serve the U. S. Armory and
Arsenal. It is a one-story brick building, 35 1/2 by 24 feet,
with walls 114 feet hig