History of Harpers Ferry

         Harpers Ferry, Iowa is one of the oldest settlements in Allamakee County, once known as Vailsville, was platted as the village of Winfield in 1852. In 1860, by an act of the Legislature, it was changed to Harpers Ferry. At that time, David Harper, for whom the town was named, was an influential man in the county and leading spirit in the development of the town. He did a large merchandising business, bought and shipped produce, and operated a ferry to McGregor – Prairie du Chien. The town was incorporated December 24, 1901.

          Harpers Ferry is located above high water on a level plateau which extends back nearly a mile to the bluffs and three miles up and down the river. In steamboat days, this fine town site was an important landing located on Harpers Slough, a secondary channel of the Mississippi which permitted large steamers to land here except in very low water.

          The 2000 census of 310 does not, of course, include the many summertime "residents" here. The beautiful wooded bluffs, the near-by trout streams, and the many islands, lakes and sloughs of the Mississippi in this area have attracted increasingly larger numbers of fishermen, hunters, and boaters to this friendly community each year. A great many privately owned week-end or vacation cottages have been built here in recent years.

           Business establishments to serve the residents and to accommodate the many outdoor enthusiasts that visit here are: Post office, convenience store, service stations, restaurants, taverns, beauty shop, rental cabins and motel facilities, boat landings, bait dealers, sporting goods shops, and an outboard motor repair service. Several residents are commercial fisherman.

           So it is today, just as it was in the beginning, the Mississippi River is closely related to the economy of Harpers Ferry.