Crystal City in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fort Runyon: Defending the Capital

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2019

1. Fort Runyon: Defending the Capital Marker

Inscription. Fort Runyon once stood on this site. Built by Union troops at the start of the Civil War, the fort guarded access to the Virginia end of the Long Bridge, which led directly across the Potomac River to the heart of Washington, D.C. The fort strategically sat astride two major thoroughfares, the Columbia and Washington-Alexandria Turnpikes, and adjacent to a major railroad line. No visible remains of Fort Runyon exist.

Erected by The Boeing Company.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Forts and Castles • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Defenses of Washington series list.

Location. 38° 51.929′ N, 77° 2.978′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Crystal City. It is on 6th Street South east of Long Bridge Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 929 Long Bridge Drive, Arlington VA 22202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington

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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: The March Across the Long Bridge (here, next to this marker); The Defenses of Washington (a few steps from this marker); Arlington Transformed by War (a few steps from this marker); The Union Soldier (a few steps from this marker); Known Units Garrisoned at Fort Runyon (a few steps from this marker); Fort Runyon after the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Significance of Roaches Run Sanctuary (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); New and Renewed Land (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Another marker

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 7, 2019

2. Fort Runyon: Defending the Capital Marker

is no longer nearby. A Historic Junction (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Gen. T. Runyon image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

3. Gen. T. Runyon

Harper's Encyclopedia, 1902, says this:
“On April 27, 1861, he [Theodore Runyon] started for Washington, D. C., in command of the 1st Brigade of New Jersey Volunteers; on May 6 reached the national capital, then in a state of great excitement because of an expected invasion, with 3,000 men; on the 10th he took possession of exposed parts of the city, and on the 24th was ordered to occupy and fortify the approaches to the city, especially those converging at the Long Bridge. The first fortifications erected for the defence of the national capital were given the name of Fort Runyon.”
Photo taken between 1860 and 1870, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 649 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on March 24, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.