Seminary Hill in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Profile of the Fort
Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site
| | City of Alexandria, Virginia | |
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 17, 2026
1. Profile of the Fort Marker
This exterior view of the restored Northwest Bastion illustrates the effectiveness of an earthwork fort. The fort walls were 18-22 feet high, 12-14 feet thick, and slanted at 45 degrees.
To gain access to the fort an attacker would have to cross the field of fire (the open area to the front of the fort), penetrate the abatis (the line of felled trees that surrounded the ditch), enter the ditch, and scale the walls while the defenders were well protected behind the embankments.
These restored walls illustrate how the entire 818-yard perimeter of Fort Ward appeared in late 1864.
Help Preserve This Historic Site by entering the fort only via the bridge to the left. Please do not enter the ditch or climb upon the walls during your tour of Fort Ward.
Erected by City of Alexandria, Virginia.
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 Virginia, The City of Alexandria series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 38° 49.866′ N, 77° 6.137′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Seminary Hill. It can be reached from West Braddock Road 0.2 miles north of North Howard Street
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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 Northwest Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Powder Magazine and Filling Room (within shouting distance of this marker); Rifle Trench (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Ward (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Fort to Community (about 400 feet away); Jackson Cemetery Memorial (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Bombproof (about 400 feet away); Jackson Cemetery (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.
Other markers no longer nearby. Profile of Fort (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Northwest Bastion (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Powder Magazine and Filling Room (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Rifle Trench (was within shouting distance of this marker
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 17, 2026
2. Profile of the Fort Marker & NW Bastion
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 17, 2026
3. Rifle Embrasure
View from the footbridge of the muzzle of a replica rifle, poking out of the fort's parapet. The widened, wood-lined channel, called an embrasure, allowed the gun to be adjusted left or right for targeting.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 17, 2026
4. Bridge to the Marker
This footbridge scaled the parapet to the northeast, follows the scarp slope down and bridges the exterior ditch before turning to allow visitors a descent into the ditch.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 17, 2026
5. Profile of the Fort
View within the ditch from the wooden platform at the base of the steps.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 30, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
