Fort Jackson

Fort Jackson is a small fortification in Arlington County that stands near the Potomac River as part of a Civil War defense system. It was built with two other forts to protect the Long Bridge, which connected Virginia to Washington DC.

The fort was established in 1861 and served primarily as a checkpoint for bridge traffic during the Civil War. It functioned more as an inspection post than as a heavily fortified position protecting the strategic crossing.

The fort represents early Union military engineering and defensive strategy, demonstrating the methods used to protect the capital during the American Civil War.

The site is maintained by the National Park Service and is freely accessible to visitors. It offers views across the Potomac and allows you to walk through part of the historic defense system that once surrounded Washington DC.

The fort was the smallest of the three fortifications with just a few cannons and focused more on monitoring than defense. Its limited military role makes it an often overlooked example of how the war was logistically organized around the capital.

Location: Arlington County

Inception: 1861

Part of: Civil War defenses of Washington, D.C.

GPS coordinates: 38.87090,-77.04180

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:46