Fort C.F. Smith: A Hidden Pocket of History in Arlington’s Woodmont Neighborhood

If you’re walking through Woodmont, you might be surprised to find a quiet, beautifully preserved park tucked behind the GW Parkway and surrounded by homes. At first glance, Fort C.F. Smith Park feels slightly out of place with its large rolling lawn, a historic house, and Civil War-era earthworks all in the middle of a neighborhood. But once you know its history, it all makes sense.

A Park That Survived Because a Family Refused to Sell

Long before this became a public park, the land was part of the Hendry estate, a 19-acre farm that remained intact while Arlington developed rapidly around it. A 1988 Washington Post article called it “a wooded pocket in a county crowded with new apartment buildings and metastasizing subdivisions.”

Developers tried for decades to buy the land. Some had plans for apartments. Others wanted a retirement home. Two even explored using it for a future church site. But the Hendry family — who had owned the property for more than 60 years — repeatedly said no.

Because of that quiet preservation, Civil War remnants of Fort C.F. Smith, built in 1863, can still be seen today. The land retained its character while nearly everything around it changed.

Today, that decades-long resistance is why Arlington still has this patch of history and undeveloped land.

The Ginkgo Tree Worth Seeing

One of the park’s loveliest features is a massive old ginkgo tree. In late fall, it turns a brilliant gold that only ginkgos can do. Just one of the many thoughtful and preserved plantings throughout the park. 

A Small Park With Big Charm

Fort C.F. Smith isn’t large, and that’s part of its appeal. There’s a peaceful walking loop that winds around the property, a wide lawn that gives you a feeling of openness, and the historic Hendry House, which now hosts art shows, small events, and the occasional wedding. It’s the kind of place you tend to learn about only if you live nearby. It's a little secret corner of the Woodmont neigborhood that rewards wandering.

If You’re Exploring Arlington…

Arlington and its neighborhoods are full of hidden historic corners, fantastic parks and trails, and small parks like this. If you want to get a better sense of Arlington real estate, you can check out the latest listings. 

And if you’re curious about the neighborhoods or thinking about making a move, I’m always happy to help you get oriented and find the pockets of Arlington that make sense for you.