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Harpers Ferry, WV is where the C&O Towpath and the Appalachian Trail intersect.  It is where the Shenandoah River empties into the Potomac River and in 1747 Robert Harper operated a ferry across the rivers, henceforth, Harpers Ferry.  My wife's maiden name is Harper and her family can be traced back to colonial days in  West Virginia when it was part of Virginia.  The Appalachian trail goes through the mountain above town, then through town, then across a footbridge over the potomac to the C&O towpath for a couple of miles before splitting from the towpath.  I climbed the trail up hill as it passed the Jefferson Rock.  Thomas Jefferson climbed on top of this rock to overlook the area. 
Mills were built along the rivers in the 1700s and 1800s.  One such mill used the power of the river to turn lathes at the US Armory to make rifles and ammunition for the new US government. In 1859 abolitionist John Brown attempted to raid the armory to get weapons for a slave revolt, but failed.  In 1861 the Confederates attacked the Union arsenal.  The Union soldiers burned the armory down to keep the weapons from the confederates.  Eight times during the civil war Harpers Ferry changed hands, between Union and Confederate troops.  With frequent floods or dry spells, the Mills would not be working all the time.  Today all that remains of the mills are the foundations along the river.  All the old buildings along Shenandoah Street have been restored and are part of the Harper Ferry National Historic Park.  A free shuttle takes you from the park visitor center to the 3 blocks of buildings that are museums in each building.  Rangers are available for questions.