Fort Ethan Allen (Arlington, Virginia)

Fort Ethan Allen was a Union Army installation built in Arlington County, Virginia, during the American Civil War as part of the defenses of Washington, D.C. Constructed in 1861, it occupied a strategic position on a high ridge overlooking the Potomac River and the Chain Bridge. Its location allowed Union artillery to command key approaches to the capital, preventing Confederate forces from crossing the river and threatening Washington.

The fort was named in honor of Ethan Allen, the Revolutionary War hero and leader of the Green Mountain Boys. It was primarily an earthwork fort, consisting of earthen ramparts, a dry moat, and a parapet for artillery placements. The garrison at Fort Ethan Allen varied in size throughout the war, typically housing several companies of infantry and artillery.

While Fort Ethan Allen never saw direct combat action during the Civil War, its presence and the artillery it housed served as a deterrent to Confederate incursions into the region. It played a crucial role in securing the Union capital and maintaining control over vital transportation routes.

Following the end of the Civil War in 1865, Fort Ethan Allen was gradually decommissioned and dismantled. The land was eventually returned to private ownership. Today, little remains of the original fort except for traces of the earthworks, which are located within a residential neighborhood. Historical markers and interpretive signage commemorate the site and its significance in the Civil War defenses of Washington. The location is generally accessible, but requires respect for the private property surrounding it. The Fort Ethan Allen Park, while named similarly, is located in Burlington, Vermont, and should not be confused with the Arlington, Virginia site.