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

Fort C.F. Smith

Protecting the Capital

— Defenses of Washington, 1863-1865 —

Fort C.F. Smith Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 15, 2021

1. Fort C.F. Smith Marker

Inscription. The ramps in front of you, now covered with grass, led to wooden platforms on which the various cannons were placed. When Fort C.F. Smith was built in 1863, it had platforms for twenty-two artillery pieces and four siege mortars. Only the mortars and sixteen cannons were ever placed here, however, because the Confederate threat to Washington, D.C., had been greatly reduced. The list of armaments here included two 6-pounder brass guns, six 4.5-inch guns, four 24-pounder guns, three 12-pounder howitzers, one 8-inch seacoast howitzer, and four 8-inch siege mortars.

Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Defenses of Washington, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 38° 54.058′ N, 77° 5.472′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Woodmont. It is on 24th Street North 0.1 miles west of 23rd Road North, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2411 24th St N, Arlington VA 22207, 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: A different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (within shouting distance of

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (approx. 0.2 miles away); Maywood (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Strong (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Dawson-Bailey House (approx. half a mile away); The Dawson-Bailey Spring Site (approx. half a mile away); The Bay-Eva Castle Site (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Other markers no longer nearby. Fort C.F. Smith (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Fort C.F. Smith (was about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker which had slightly different content.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 15, 2021

2. Fort C.F. Smith Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 396 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.