Highland Park in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Granite Acroterion
1926
Photographed By Patricia Haman, July 21, 2013
1. Granite Acroterion Marker
This acroterion originally decorated the pediment over the main entrance of the Abbey Mausoleum, which overlooked Arlington National Cemetery. Built in 1926 by the United States Mausoleum Company, the Romanesque-style building featured an impressive granite exterior and marble interior and drew comparisons to a cathedral. The mausoleum's thirteen stained glass windows, four of which are on view inside the library, are attributed to Louis C. Tiffany and Tiffany Studios, but it is not known who designed or carved the acroterion.
Once the favored final resting place for Arlington's and Washington's elite, the Abbey Mausoleum went bankrupt in 1957 and then fell into disrepair. Before the Mausoleum's demolition, Arlington County rescued the acroterion and the windows.
Now easily visible at eye-level rather than high above, the acroterion visually anchors the intersection of Washington Boulevard and McKinley Avenue and exists as an independent landmark, rather than one of many architectural ornaments.
Erected 2009 by Arlington, Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 38° 53.16′ N, 77° 8.52′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mace Park (approx. half a mile away); Brandymore Castle (approx. 0.6 miles away); Alice N. Nicolson (approx. 0.7 miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. 0.8 miles away); Benjamin Banneker Park Playground (approx. 0.9 miles away); Southern-Shreve Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); Civil War Outpost (approx. 0.9 miles away); Tracks into History (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
More about this marker. The Tiffany windows mentioned in the marker can be seen through windows on the southwest corner of the Westover Library, also on Washington Boulevard. If the library is open they can best be viewed from the inside of the building.
Also see . . . Abbey Mausoleum (Arlington County, Virginia). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Patricia Haman, July 21, 2013
2. Granite Acroterion
Photographed By Patricia Haman, July 21, 2013
3. Granite Acroterion in front of Westover Library
via Wikipedia, unknown
4. The granite acroterion atop the Abbey Mausoleum
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. This page has been viewed 590 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 21, 2013, by Kevin Vincent of Arlington, Virginia. 4. submitted on March 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
