Harper, a city and Atlantic Ocean port in southeastern Liberia, is located on Cape Palmas and has a rich historical legacy. It was founded in 1833 by freed slaves from North America under the auspices of the Maryland Colonization Society. In 1857, following tensions with the local Grebo people, the colony sought annexation with Liberia. The city was named after Robert Goodloe Harper, an influential member of the American Colonization Society.
Today, Harper is home to several key institutions, including William V.S. Tubman University, a major educational hub in the region, the J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital (established in 1958), and various secondary schools operated by both the government and religious organizations. Harper also has a mosque and numerous churches, highlighting its diverse religious and cultural heritage.
The city's port, opened in 1960, serves as a major export point for local resources such as lumber, rubber, and oil palm. In 2024, the local economy grew with the addition of an palm oil processing plant.
Harper is well-connected to the rest of Liberia by air, land, and sea, serving as a vital link for transportation and trade. As of the 2008 census, the city’s population was 23,517.
© WILLIAM V.S. TUBMAN UNIVERSITY