Jefferson Manor in Groveton in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Defenses of Washington

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, February 3, 2007

1. Defenses of Washington Marker

Inscription. During the Civil War, the U.S. Army constructed a series of forts and artillery batteries around Washington to protect it from Confederate attack. Forts O’Rourke, Weed, Farnsworth, and Lyon stood just to the north, and Fort Willard which still exists, to the east. These fortifications constituted the extreme southern defense line of the city. By the war’s end, a line of 163 forts and batteries extended about 37 miles around Washington, but today only a handful survive. A century later, during the Cold War, a ring of Nike missile sites similarly encircled the capital to protect it.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-81.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, Cold • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Defenses of Washington, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists.

Location. 38° 46.845′ N, 77° 4.728′ W. Marker is in Groveton, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is in Jefferson Manor. It is on Richmond Highway (Virginia Route 1) 0 miles south of Kings Highway ( Route 633), on the right when traveling north. Marker was on the right side of a

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frontage road paralleling Route 1 when heading north but has been moved south along Route 1 proper. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6309 Richmond Highway, Alexandria VA 22303, 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: Parapet and Gun Platforms (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mount Eagle Mansion (approx. 0.7 miles away); Fort Willard (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Willard (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Defenses of Washington (approx. 0.7 miles away); Beacon Field Airport (approx. ¾ mile away); Belle Haven Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fort Lyon (approx. 0.8 miles away).

More about this marker. This marker replaces a marker with the same name and title which was erected nearby in the late 1920s or early 1930s. Its inscription read, “Just to the north lie Forts O’Rorke, Weed, Farnsworth, and Lyon. To the east is Fort Willard. These fortifications constituted the extreme southern defense line of the city of Washington.”

Also see . . .
1. The Civil War Defenses of Washington, D.C. (Submitted on September 6, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.)
2. Defenses Around Washington. (Submitted on September 6, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.)

Wider view of the Defenses of Washington Marker and intersection image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, February 3, 2007

2. Wider view of the Defenses of Washington Marker and intersection

Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 3,799 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on December 13, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2007, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.