Fort Myer near Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Platforms of Power
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
| | George Washington Memorial Parkway | |
Photographed by Connor Olson, March 21, 2022
1. Platforms of Power Marker
Just as G.W.P. Custis chose the site for Arlington House high above the Potomac River, visibility was the core of architect Pierre Charles L'Enfant's design for Washington, DC. L'Enfant, entombed before you, envisioned forested hills as natural staging for symbols of prestige in the capital.
The McMillan Plan expanded L'Enfant's vision in 1902. The new plan added parks around iconic memorials, wove pieces of a fragmented mall into a unified ceremonial space, and placed the Lincoln Memorial directly across the Potomac from Arlington House.
Captions
Arlington Memorial Bridge
A symbol of union connecting Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee.
Lincoln Memorial
Across the river from Arlington House, a contemplative memorial represents the strength and wisdom of the nation's 16th president.
Washington Monument
Custis died before construction of the elegant obeliskwhich conveyed national admiration for his step-grandfatherwas complete.
Capitol
Montgomery Meigs corresponded with Robert E. Lee in 1857 on the construction of wings that join the US House of Representatives and the US Senate
White House
Old Post Office Tower
Library of Congress
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Women in Military
this page online
John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame
Landscaping in the McMillan Plan linked the city's memorials long before Arlington Memorial Bridge was built.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.
Location. 38° 52.863′ N, 77° 4.344′ W. Marker is near Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Fort Myer. It can be reached from Sheridan Drive 0.2 miles south of Lincoln Drive, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 32 Sheridan Dr, Fort Myer VA 22211, 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: Pierre Charles LEnfant (here, next to this marker); Trophy of War (a few steps from this marker); Evolving Vision (a few steps from this marker); Arlington Estate, 1860 (a few steps from this marker); Paying Tribute (within shouting distance of this marker); A Place of Division and Reunification (within shouting distance of this marker); Garden to Graves (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gray Family (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Another marker is no longer nearby.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, May 25, 2025
2. Platforms of Power Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 349 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on January 7, 2023, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on March 28, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on May 25, 2025, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
