Fort C. F. Smith (Arlington, Virginia)

This article is about the fort in Virginia. For the fort in Montana, see Fort C. F. Smith (Fort Smith, Montana).

Fort C. F. Smith Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Virginia Landmarks Register
File:Fort C.F. Smith 3b07395r.jpg
Part of the fort's earthworks are on the right.
Location	2411 24th St., Arlington, Virginia
Coordinates
Area	19 acres (7.7 ha)
Built	1863
NRHP Reference #	99001719
VLR #	000-5079
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	February 1, 2000
Designated VLR	September 15, 1999

Fort C. F. Smith was a small fort constructed by the Union Army as part of the defense of Washington, D.C. during the American Civil War.

History

The new post was constructed by Union troops in early 1863 and named for Charles Ferguson Smith. The fortification extended the line of Arlington forts to the Potomac River. Along with Forts Strong, Morton, and Woodbury, it functioned as part of the outer perimeter of defenses that protected the Aqueduct Bridge of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

The fort consisted of lunettes facing south and west and two bastions to the north to protect it from attack up the ravines from the Potomac. The perimeter was 368 yards with places for 25 guns

The fort was entered from the east by a road that crossed Spout Run and proceeded up the hill to Fort Strong. To provide clear lines of fire for Fort C.F. Smith and adjacent forts, all of the trees for miles around were cut down. Many of the trees were used in construction of the forts and support structures.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

The park is preserved by Arlington County at the Fort C.F. Smith Park.