Arlington Ridge in Arlington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fort Scott
February 9, 2008
1. Fort Scott Marker
Defenses of Washington
1861-1865
Fort Scott
Here stood a detached lunette constructed in May, 1861, to guard the south flank of the defenses of Washington and named for General Winfield Scott, then General-in-Chief of the Army. It was subsequently relegated to an interior position by the construction of the defenses of Alexandria about 1Ύ miles to the west. The Fort had a perimeter of 313 yards and emplacements for 8 guns. A remnant portion may be found immediately to the west.
Erected 1965 by Arlington County, Virginia. (Marker Number 6.)
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 series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1861.
Location. 38° 50.85′ N, 77° 3.539′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in Arlington Ridge. It is on Fort Scott Drive, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at the entrance to Fort Scott Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2800 Fort Scott Drive, Arlington VA 22202, 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: Four Mile Run and Flooding / The Restoration Project / I Live Here...Can You Find Me? / Public Art
this page online
More about this marker. In the center of the marker is a map of the Washington Defenses, with a red (weathered) arrow pointing out the location of Fort Scott.
Additional commentary.
1. Fort Scott Particulars
From "Mr. Lincoln's Forts: A Guide to the Civil War Defenses of Washington," by Benjamin Franklin Cooling III and Walton H. Owen II:
The fort is described as a large lunette. It covered the Four Mile Run valley, and thus interlocked with Forts Reynolds and Barnard further to the west. Armament included one 8-inch
Photographed by Brian Cubbage, May 9, 2014
2. area west of Fort Scott Marker (note green fence)
The marker indicates the remnant is to the west of the marker.
— Submitted February 9, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
February 9, 2008
3. Fort Scott Marker
Photographed by Brian Cubbage, May 9, 2014
4. Earthen Mound With Ditch In Foreground Extends Onto Private Property Across Green Fence
Photographed by Brian Cubbage, May 9, 2014
5. View Back Towards Marker, Earthen Mound Remnant To Left
Photographed by Usgs, January 16, 2026
6. Fort Scott 3DEP LiDAR Imagery
The short remaining fragment of Fort Scott's parapet & external ditch is the darkened straight line running between the wide "V"-shaped road at upper right and the cul-de-sac shown at center left.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2008. This page has been viewed 2,396 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 9, 2008. 2. submitted on May 9, 2014, by Brian Cubbage of Alexandria, Virginia. 3. submitted on February 9, 2008. 4, 5. submitted on May 9, 2014, by Brian Cubbage of Alexandria, Virginia. 6. submitted on March 12, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
