Rosslyn in Arlington in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Cupid's Garden
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Fort Corcoran
Experience Rosslyn
"I use the arrows as a theme in my work because it is a positive image - always moving forward. I view Cupid's Garden as a repository for the imagination in an urban sprawl." Chris Gardner
Sculptor Chris Gardner was selected in 1988 from a pool of 47 artists. After four months of extensive planning, which included creating hundreds of drawings and three dimensional models, Gardner proposed Cupid's Garden.
Gardner built a full scale foam core model that was exhibited in the National Building Museum's Great Hall for a month in the summer of 1992.
Patterns were made from the model and sheet metal workers cut the arrows out of one-eighth inch stainless steel. The arrows were welded together and polished into partially assembled sections. These sections were then transported to the site, where they welded and bolted to concrete supports.
The sculpture was dedicated on Valentine's Day in 1994. Its folicking arrows have since become a landmark reflecting the activity of Rosslyn. Cupid's Garden was commissioned by LaSalle Partners through Arlington County's Public Art Program. Arlington is home to more than 60 permanent public artworks, many of which can be found right here in Rosslyn.
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Know Rosslyn
Built on a hill over what is currently Rosslyn, Fort Corcoran guarded the head of the Aqueduct Bridge, which connected Virginia to Georgetown. Pictured above is a view from Rosslyn looking towards Aqueduct Bridge, and Georgetown. Although Fort Corcoran never saw any battle, nor is is there any trace left today, it served as a valuable part of the defensive line to deter attacks on the capital of the Union.
The earthen fortification featured a ground level entrance, or sally port as shown above, that was cut through the raised parapets, and ramparts. The entrance was deliberately placed in an area not vulnerable to enemy attack.
Inside the fort, Union soldiers trained and maintained artillery. They consisted of large-caliber weapons or cannons, including guns, howitzers, mortars, and rifles. At Fort Corcoran, there were at least two howitzer guns, and three Parrott rifled cannons.
The garrison included members of the 107th U.S. Colored Infantry from 1865 to 1866. They guarded military supplies, and other public property in the Washington, D.C. area. Here they are in front of a guardhouse, which contained offices, a place to hold prisoners, and an area for mustering guards.
Erected 2017 by Rosslyn Business Improvement District; Arlington County, Virginia.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1988.
Location. 38° 53.678′ N, 77° 4.395′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Rosslyn. It is at the intersection of Wilson Boulevard and North Nash Street, on the left when traveling west on Wilson Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1830 N Nash St, Arlington VA 22209, 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: ARPANET (within shouting distance of this marker); Watergate Investigation (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Corcoran (approx. 0.2 miles away); Here We Remember Them All (approx. Ό mile away); Fort Haggerty (approx. Ό mile away); Rosslyn (approx. Ό mile away); Purple Heart Memorial (approx. Ό mile away); Something More Than A Statue (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 210 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 11, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
