Construction of the 2nd United States Armory and Arsenal in Harpers Ferry, VA (now WV) began in 1799. This was made possible by a bill approved by Congress in 1794, then-President George Washington selected the Harpers Ferry location, and the government purchased 125 acres for the site in 1796. By 1800, full-scale manufacture of arms began, starting with muskets and rifles. Pistols were added in 1805, and by 1810, the annual production of arms averaged about 10,000.
After four decades of government neglect and lack of funding, plans for a complete renovation were made. From 1845 to 1854, seven new workshops were built, 121 new machines were installed, Armory Canal was enlarged, and the installation of new Boyden turbines was completed. The Armory became known as the "U.S. Musket Factory." By 1859, the Armory workforce had grown to about 400 men, compared to just 25 in 1802.
The Civil War brought destruction and the beginning of the end of the 2nd United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry. On April 18, 1861, Lt. Roger Jones of the U.S. Army defended the Armory with 50 regulars and 15 volunteers against several companies of Virginia militia (approximately 360 men). Outnumbered and unable to obtain reinforcements, Jones set fire to the Armory and Arsenal buildings before retreating. The spring of 1861, more destruction came with Confederate occupation at Harpers Ferry. Southern forces confiscated the Armory's ordnance, machinery, and tools before burning most of the remaining buildings. By war's end, Harpers Ferry had changed hands eight times and only the Armory's fire engine and guard house remained intact. Today, the Armory Grounds are almost completely covered by railroad track embankments.
The United States Armory and Arsenal located in Harpers Ferry, VA (now WV) manufactured U.S. military muskets, rifles, pistols, and other ordnance circa 1800-1861.