Near Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Fort Washington—The Capital’s Guardian

Fort Washington Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, January 13, 2007

1. Fort Washington Marker

Inscription. Fort Washington, directly across the river, is the oldest existing fortification erected for the defense of the national capital. It was begun in 1814 to replace the first fort which was destroyed during the War of 1812 with Great Britain.

George Washington selected the location in 1794 when construction of a fort on the Potomac was considered. The high masonry walls, gun positions, dry moat, and drawbridge all illustrate principles of military science and architecture used during the nation’s early life.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. In addition, it is included in the Defenses of Washington series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 43.023′ N, 77° 2.68′ W. Marker was near Alexandria, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker was at the intersection of George Washington Memorial Parkway (at milepost 2) and Fort Hunt Road, on the right when traveling north on George Washington Memorial Parkway. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 822 Emerald Dr, Alexandria VA 22308, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Capital Defense (here, next to this marker); Battery Robinson (approx. 0.2

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

miles away); Protecting America's Legacy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battery Sater (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battery Sater (approx. ¼ mile away); Beyond What You See Today (approx. 0.4 miles away); Battery Mount Vernon (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fort Hunt Park (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location titled "Capital Defense".

Also see . . . Fort Washington Park. (Submitted on March 3, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.)

Wide View of Marker with Fort Washington in the Background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, January 27, 2007

2. Wide View of Marker with Fort Washington in the Background

Fort Washington—The Capital’s Guardian Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 23, 2014

3. Fort Washington—The Capital’s Guardian Marker

Fort Washington in Maryland, from the Virginia Side of the Potomac image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, January 13, 2007

4. Fort Washington in Maryland, from the Virginia Side of the Potomac

Fort Washington -The Capital’s Guardian in winter image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, February 17, 2014

5. Fort Washington -The Capital’s Guardian in winter

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 2,016 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on April 1, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 3, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. 3. submitted on July 26, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4. submitted on March 3, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. 5. submitted on March 7, 2014, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.