Gibson – Todd House (Site of John Brown Hanging)

The Gibson-Todd House was the site where John Brown was hanged for his failed raid against the U.S. Arsenal at Harpers Ferry.

The Gibson-Todd House in Charles Town, West Virginia, was the location where John Brown was hanged on December 2, 1859 for his failed raid against the U.S. Arsenal in Harpers Ferry. Brown’s six fellow conspirators were also hanged at the same place, four on December 16, 1859 and the last two on March 16, 1860. At the time of the raid, Col. John T. Gibson commanded the Jefferson Guards, which was the first Virginia militia company to arrive at Harpers Ferry. At the hanging, Gibson commanded about 800 troops who were on duty to keep order and prevent any attempt to rescue Brown. The site was then part of a farm owned by Rebecca Hunter.

During the Civil War Gibson served as an officer in the Confederate army. After the war, he returned to Jefferson County and in 1892 built the Gibson-Todd House. The gallows stood just north of the house.