McClellan Gate

McClellan Gate is a ceremonial entrance built of red sandstone with golden inscriptions and Doric columns framing its opening. The structure serves as a formal passage into Arlington National Cemetery from the eastern side.

The gate was completed in 1871 and served as the main entrance to Arlington National Cemetery when it opened. Its inscriptions come from verses by poet Theodore O'Hara, marking an important phase in the cemetery's development.

The gate displays text from the poem 'Bivouac of the Dead' on its arches, showing how America honors those who served. Visitors walking through can read these verses as part of the cemetery's memorial tradition.

The gate is easy to locate along McClellan Drive within the cemetery grounds. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since exploring the cemetery involves walking through expansive grounds with varying terrain.

The gate is the only surviving structure from the cemetery's eastern boundary built in the 1800s. Its design influenced how other national cemeteries would build their own ceremonial entrances.

Location: Arlington County

GPS coordinates: 38.87879,-77.06714

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:00