Penrose in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Arlington Radio Towers
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2019
1. The Arlington Radio Towers Marker
Inscription.
The Arlington Radio Towers. . Three radio towers similar to the Eiffel Tower in construction were erected here in 1913. One stood 600 feet and the other two 450 feet above the 200-foot elevation of the site. The word "radio" was first used, instead of "wireless," in the name of this naval communication facility. The first trans-Atlantic voice communication was made between this station and the Eiffel Tower, in 1915. The nation set its clocks by the Arlington Radio Time Signal and listened for its broadcast weather reports. The towers were dismantled in 1941, as a menace to aircraft approaching the new Washington National Airport.
Three radio towers similar to the Eiffel Tower in construction were erected here in 1913. One stood 600 feet and the other two 450 feet above the 200-foot elevation of the site. The word "radio" was first used, instead of "wireless," in the name of this naval communication facility. The first trans-Atlantic voice communication was made between this station and the Eiffel Tower, in 1915. The nation set its clocks by the Arlington Radio Time Signal and listened for its broadcast weather reports. The towers were dismantled in 1941, as a menace to aircraft approaching the new Washington National Airport.
Erected 1969 by Arlington County, Virginia. (Marker Number 30.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Communications • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.
Location. 38° 51.987′ N, 77° 4.844′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Penrose. It is on South Courthouse Road south of 8th Street South, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 804 South Courthouse Road, Arlington VA 22204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. John's Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Craig (approx.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2019
2. The Arlington Radio Towers Marker
Bain News Service (courtesy of the Library of Congress), circa 1915
3. Govt. Radio Station, Arlington
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,380 times since then and 115 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on June 7, 2019.
