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

Rosslyn

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 18, 2015

1. Rosslyn Marker

Inscription. Rosslyn traditionally has served as a principal gateway to Arlington and to Virginia. Captain John Smith explored this area in 1608. Awbrey's Ferry carried travelers across the Potomac for more than a century in the 1700s and 1800s. The Aqueduct Bridge opened in 1843, linking the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal with the Alexandria Canal. One pier of that bridge is visible today near the Virginia shore. In the 1860s, William and Carolyn Ross had a farm in this area which they named Rosslyn. During the Civil War, Federal forces also occupied the region, and Forts Bennett, Haggerty, and Corcoran were built nearby as part of the defensive line around the capital. In the 1900s Rosslyn was one of several areas along the waterfront controlled by a lawless element. In 1904, members of the Good Citizens' League succeeded in closing down the gambling houses and saloons, restoring peace and safety to Rosslyn. In 1923, the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge replaced the Aqueduct Bridge. Throughout the early 1900s Rosslyn evolved into a commercial and industrial area. The 1960s marked the beginning of Rosslyn's transformation into a major

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urban center.

Erected by Arlington County, Virginia.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1608.

Location. 38° 53.911′ N, 77° 4.332′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Virginia, in Arlington County. It is in North Rosslyn. It is at the intersection of Langston Boulevard (U.S. 29) and North Fort Myer Drive, on the left when traveling east on Langston Boulevard. Marker is in Arlington Gateway Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1300 Lee Highway, Arlington VA 22209, 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,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

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

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 18, 2015

2. Rosslyn Marker

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: Purple Heart Memorial (here, next to this marker); Luminous Bodies (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Watergate Investigation (approx. ¼ mile away); Fort Corcoran (approx. ¼ mile away); Cupid's Garden / Fort Corcoran (approx. ¼ mile away); ARPANET (approx. 0.3 miles away); Causeway (approx. 0.3 miles away in District of Columbia); Fort Bennett (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arlington.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 18, 2015

3. Rosslyn Marker

Aqueduct Bridge<br>North Abutment image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 18, 2015

4. Aqueduct Bridge
North Abutment

Georgetown

Aqueduct Bridge Pier image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 18, 2015

5. Aqueduct Bridge Pier

Near the Virginia Shore of the Potomac

Canada Goose image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 18, 2015

6. Canada Goose

nesting on one of the remaining piers of the Aqueduct Bridge, near the Virginia Shore.

Francis Scott Key Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 18, 2015

7. Francis Scott Key Bridge

The tall buildings of Rosslyn can be seen in the distance, The ruin of the north abutment of the Aqueduct Bridge in the foreground.

DC Boundary Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, April 18, 2015

8. DC Boundary Marker

This nearby boundary stone sits on the southern end of the Key Bridge, reminding us that DC owns the river so Rosslyn is on the very edge of the district.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,834 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 19, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.