Dahlgren in King George County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Dahlgren's Naval Ordnance Testing
NSWCDD Station Stop
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 13, 2023
1. Dahlgren's Naval Ordnance Testing Marker
Photographed with permission under the escort of Dahlgren Public Affairs Office personnel.
Photo Captions:
Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren standing beside a 50-pounder Dahlgren rifle, on board USS Pawnee in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, circa 1863-1865.
Two large Dahlgren smoothbore guns, a XI-inch and a XV-inch, aboard the gun turret of the USS Passaic, 1862.
IX-inch Dahlgren smoothbore gun on a slide-pivot mounting with its crew at their stations, on board a U.S. Navy gunboat during the Civil War.
Erected by NAVSEA Warfare Centers Dahlgren.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 38° 19.85′ N, 77° 2.761′ W. Marker is in Dahlgren, Virginia, in King George County. It is at the intersection
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, in the Chesapeake Bay Region, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 19 Inch Armor Plate (here, next to this marker); Serial Number 278L (approx. half a mile away); Parade Field (approx. half a mile away); Historic Guns (approx. 0.9 miles away); Civil War Action At Mathias Point (approx. 2½ miles away); Mathias Point (approx. 2½ miles away); Laidler's Ferry (approx. 4.7 miles away in Maryland);
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 13, 2023
2. IX Dahlgren Shell Guns
Just beyond the marker. These two guns are typical of Dahlgren's inventions.
Photographed with permission under the escort of Dahlgren Public Affairs Office personnel.
Photographed with permission under the escort of Dahlgren Public Affairs Office personnel.
Another marker is no longer nearby. "Cliffton" (was approx. 4½ miles away in Maryland but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. Marker is within a US Navy installation and restricted to individuals with base access or escorted by a credentialed individual. Photography is not permitted on base without escort and/or approval from the Dahlgren Public Affairs Office.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 13, 2023
3. Dahlgren Monument
Just across the road is a monument to Rear Admiral Dahlgren with a pair of 12-pounder Dahlgren Boat Howitzers - another of his creations - flanking it.
Photographed with permission under the escort of Dahlgren Public Affairs Office personnel.
Photographed with permission under the escort of Dahlgren Public Affairs Office personnel.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 13, 2023
4. Dahlgren's Monument
Detail view. Photographed with permission under the escort of Dahlgren Public Affairs Office personnel.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 13, 2023
5. Boat Howitzer Plaque
Each gun has a plaque beneath it, both are identical and read as follows:
"Small 12 Pounder Boat Howitzer designed by John A. Dahlgren Manufactured at Washington Navy Yard 1864"
Photographed with permission under the escort of Dahlgren Public Affairs Office personnel.
"Small 12 Pounder Boat Howitzer designed by John A. Dahlgren Manufactured at Washington Navy Yard 1864"
Photographed with permission under the escort of Dahlgren Public Affairs Office personnel.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 1, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
