Marietta in Washington County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Beren Memorial Plaza

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

1. Beren Memorial Plaza Marker

Inscription.
Land underlying part of this Tennis Center was donated to Marietta College in 1997 by Okmar Oil Company, originally a co-partnership of Adolph Beren, Class of 1918, Harry H. Beren, and Israel Henry Beren, Class of 1926.

The land was purchased early in the business history of the three brothers, who established in Marietta this substantial independent oil and gas exploration and production company which had holdings in many states.

This Tennis Center is a gift of The Robert M. Beren Foundation. Mr. Beren is a graduate of Marietta High School, Harvard College and Harvard Business School. He is the son of Adolph and Ethel Beren and the nephew of Harry H. Beren and Israel Henry Beren.

Israel Henry Beren
(1905-1994)
Israel Henry Beren was a graduate of Marietta High School and a 1926 magna cum laude graduate of Marietta College where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He served his alma mater on its Board of Fellows from 1973-1985. He was a Marietta resident his entire lifetime.

Harry H. Beren
(1900-1990)
Harry H. Beren was a graduate of Marietta High School. While he did not attend Marietta College, Mr. Beren was a long time friend and benefactor of the College. In 1990, he established by bequest the Harry H. Beren Scholarship for students in petroleum engineering. He spent a majority of his years as a Marietta resident.

Ethel Abrams Beren
(1898-1988)
Ethel Abrams Beren and Adolph Beren were married for sixty-six years. Mrs. Beren was a generous supporter of Marietta College through gifts and the gracious hospitality she extended to scores of students in her home. Ethel and Adolph Beren were the parents of Sheldon K. Beren, Robert M. Beren, and Lela Beren Jacoby.

Adolph Beren
(1896-1989)
Adolph Beren was a graduate of Marietta High School and the Marietta College Class of 1918.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Mr. Beren was a member of the Marietta College Board of Trustees and the Board of Fellows for over a decade. In 1970, he was elected a Life Associate Trustee of the College. He was a Marietta resident most of his life.

Erected 2002.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Industry & Commerce • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1997.

Location. 39° 24.869′ N, 81° 26.92′ W. Marker is in Marietta, Ohio, in Washington County. It is on 4th Street north of Ohio River Scenic Byway (Ohio Route 26), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 4th Street, Marietta OH 45750, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

2. Beren Memorial Plaza Marker

the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Discovery Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charlie Schob Discovery Garden (approx. ¼ mile away); McKinney Media Center (approx. ¼ mile away); William 'Shep' Sheppard (approx. ¼ mile away); Muskingum Academy / Marietta College (approx. ¼ mile away); Betsey Mills Club (approx. ¼ mile away); First Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); The Fight for Freedom / Marietta College Activism (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marietta.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

3. Beren Memorial Plaza Marker

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

4. Beren Memorial Plaza Marker

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

5. Beren Memorial Plaza Marker

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

6. Beren Memorial Plaza Marker

Beren Tennis Center 4th Street Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 29, 2026

7. Beren Tennis Center 4th Street Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 14, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.