The Gibson-Todd House was the site of the hanging of John Brown, the abolitionist who led a raid on Harpers Ferry, West Virginia before the opening of the American Civil War. The property is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and includes a large Victorian style house built in 1891.
The house was built by John Thomas Gibson, who led the first armed response to Harpers Ferry during Brown's raid as commander of the Virginia Militia in Jefferson County. Gibson went on to serve as an officer for the Confederacy. After the war he was mayor of Charles Town.
Among those present at Brown's hanging were Stonewall Jackson, John McCausland, J.E.B. Stuart and John Wilkes Booth. When the old Jefferson County jail was demolished, Gibson saved stones from the building and built a monument to the event on the property. The house post-dates Brown's hanging.
The house was designed by Thomas A. Mullett, son of Alfred B. Mullett. Mullett also designed the New Opera House and the new Charles Town jail.
Passing the Gibson Todd House often, I can say that the site itself offers the visiting public a small remembrance to the history taking place there. While there is not much to do as a visitor besides read some brief signage, the grounds are always taken care of well. It should be noted that this site is a private residence.
Honestly there’s just not much to see here. Other than knowing this is where the hanging took place.
The house is built at the site where John Brown was hanged in 1859. An interesting piece of American history.
I was in the area and made a small detour to see check this place out. It was worth the visit considering the event that happened there.