Seminary Hill in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Powder Magazine and Filling Room

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008

1. Powder Magazine and Filling Room Marker

Inscription. Ammunition for the fort's guns was kept in underground storage facilities called magazines and filling rooms. Shells were armed and sometimes stored in the filling room, while the magazine was used to hold black powder and crated rounds. Implements for firing the cannons could also be kept in the filling room.

Duty in either the filling room or the magazine was hazardous as the slightest spark could ignite the highly explosive black powder. Soldiers assigned to this task were required to remove all metal from their persons and to wear protective coverings on their shoes.

Erected by City of Alexandria.

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, The City of Alexandria series lists.

Location. 38° 49.839′ N, 77° 6.145′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Seminary Hill. Marker can be reached from West Braddock Road, on the right when traveling west. Located in Fort Ward Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4301 West Braddock Road, Alexandria VA 22304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Northwest Bastion (a few steps from this marker); Profile of Fort

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Ward (within shouting distance of this marker); Bombproof (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Rifle Trench (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Oakland Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Ward (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alexandria.

More about this marker. On the right of the marker is a Sketch showing shelving in magazines as arranged for different kinds of ammunition. On the lower left is an engineering plan of the fort with the locations of magazines and filling rooms indicated in blue. The tour route is indicated in red.

Also see . . . Fort Ward Historic Site. (Submitted on May 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

The Marker Stands beside Magazine Number 3 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008

2. The Marker Stands beside Magazine Number 3

Filling Room Number 5 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 1, 2008

3. Filling Room Number 5

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,249 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.