Fort Washington in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Welcome To Fort Foote

Fort Foote Park

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

1. Welcome To Fort Foote Marker

Inscription. In 1863, the President Abraham Lincoln toured Fort Foote to survey this cutting-edge military technology. Would you feel safe behind 1,416 feet (432 m) of earthen walls? How about with two 25-ton (23-tonne) Rodman Guns by your side? On Fort Foote's flat hiking trails, you can follow Lincoln's footsteps and conduct your own inspection.

The fort's namesake is Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote, who died in 1863. He is known for his heroic actions on the Mississippi River.

“The site selected for the fortification is a very steep bluff 100 feet [130 m] high, four miles [16 km] from Alexandria, eight [13km] from Washington […] It was to be the only defense between Fort Washington and the District line. It proved to be one of the very largest of the cordon of forts which encircled the city.”
Alfred Seelye Roe, Union soldier and historian

(caption) Fort Foote under construction, 1863-1864

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 38° 46.047′ N, 77° 1.603′ W. Marker is in Fort Washington, Maryland, in Prince George's

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County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Fort Foote Road and Jessica Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8915 Fort Foote Rd, Fort Washington MD 20744, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Reporting for Duty (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Another Shot (about 500 feet away); New Forts for a New War (about 500 feet away); Ironclad Killer (about 600 feet away); Engineering Evolution (about 700 feet away); Load. Ready. Fire! (approx. 0.2 miles away); Capital View (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Fine Improvable Marsh (approx. 1.1 miles away in Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Washington.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Fort Foote".

Also see . . . Fort Foote. National Park Service (Submitted on November 30, 2021.)

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

2. Welcome To Fort Foote Marker

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

3. Welcome To Fort Foote Marker

Bronze Model of Fort Foote image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

4. Bronze Model of Fort Foote

Admiral Foote image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

5. Admiral Foote

The fort's namesake is Rear Admiral Andrew Hull Foote, who died in 1863. He is known for his heroic actions on the Mississippi River.Close-up of image on marker.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 29, 2021

6. Boy Scouts

Students and scouts used the site in the early 1960s. The National Park Service took over the fort in 1931, changing the fort's mission from defense to recreation and conservation.Close-up of photo on marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 29, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.