Although many towns have changed dramatically from the way they are depicted in old photographs, Harpers Ferry is an exception. Thanks to restorations by the National Park Service, the Lower Town appears much as it did in 1859. Established in 1763 as "Shenandoah Falls at Mr. Harper's Ferry," the town became the site of one of Pres. George Washington's arsenals and armories. Later Harpers Ferry was the location for John Brown's ill-fated raid.