Federal Triangle in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

To the Memory of Oscar S. Straus

1850 - Statesman, Author, Diplomat - 1926

— "Liberty" - "Reason" —

To the Memory of Oscar S. Straus Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 2008

1. To the Memory of Oscar S. Straus Marker

Inscription.
This monument was erected by public subscription in accordance with the joint resolution of Congress of December 16, 1927. Signed by President Coolidge March 2, 1929, in memory of
Oscar S. Straus
1850 - 1926

Author
"Origin of the Republican Form of Government" 1885
"Roger Williams - Pioneer of Religious Liberty" 1891
"Under Four Administrations" 1922

Diplomat
Minister to Turkey 1887-1888, 1898-1900
Ambassador to Turkey 1909-1910

Statesman
Secretary of Commerce and Labor 1906-1909
Member of the Hague Court of Arbitration 1902-1926
[Statues on either side of the marker are allegorical figures for "Liberty" and "Reason." See "Regarding To the Memory of Oscar S. Straus" below for more information]

Erected 1947 by The Oscar S. Straus Memorial Association, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #30 Calvin Coolidge series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 2, 1929.

Location. 38° 53.629′ N, 77° 1.897′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington

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, District of Columbia. It is in Federal Triangle. Marker can be reached from 14th Street Northwest (U.S. 1) south of Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north. Inscriptions and marker plaques are in the sidewalk along the walls around the Oscar S. Strauss Memorial Fountain - in front of the Ronald Reagan Building's main (west) entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Completing the Triangle (within shouting distance of this marker); Open For Business (within shouting distance of this marker); The Division (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alexander Robey Shepherd (about 500 feet away); Flags of the World (about 600 feet away); Washington, DC: Capital and City (about 600 feet away); The John A. Wilson Building (about 600 feet away); Arts and Artists (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Regarding To the Memory of Oscar S. Straus. Oscar Straus Memorial Fountain:

The Oscar Straus Memorial Fountain, dedicated in 1947 as a tribute to the diplomat and Secretary of Commerce and Labor, has been restored and returned to its original location.

The memorial is comprised of a low, three-tiered fountain with two bronze sculptured groups set on granite

Oscar S. Straus Memorial Fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 2008

2. Oscar S. Straus Memorial Fountain

pedestals on either side. A bronze plaque summarizes the highlights of Mr. Straus's career. The fountain is flanked on the left (as one faces the Ronald Reagan Building) by a reclining female figure dressed in classical robes with her hands clasped in prayer. To the right of the fountain is a partially draped male figure. The child next to him holds a purse, key, and hammer, symbolizing capital and labor. The two figures represent the opportunity and religious freedom that Oscar Straus found in the United States and commemorate what he gave back in service to his adopted country.

[Extracted from the Reagan Building-International Trade Center website at ]

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for the Oscar Straus Memorial. (Submitted on July 4, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. Wikipedia entry for Oscar Straus (politician). (Submitted on July 4, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional keywords. Jewish-German-American

Oscar S. Straus Fountain Re-dedication - October 26, 1998 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 2008

3. Oscar S. Straus Fountain Re-dedication - October 26, 1998

"... Disassembled and placed in storage in 1991 for the construction of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Relocated, conserved and reinstalled with all original materials, except for the replacement of round river rock paving on the upper terrace with square setts of Polychrome granite."

The Ronald Reagan Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, June 2008

4. The Ronald Reagan Building

The statues, "Justice" and "Reason" (Eggers and Higgins, architects; Adolph Weinman, sculptor), can be seen on either side of the memorial fountain - lower right.

Justice and Reason image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 14, 2008

5. Justice and Reason

Justice (or "Liberty") image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 14, 2008

6. Justice (or "Liberty")

"Our liberty of worship is not a concession or a privilege but an inherent right."

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, July 14, 2008

7. Reason

"The voice of reason is more to be regarded than the bent of any present inclination."

Oscar S. Straus (1850-1926) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Wikipedia

8. Oscar S. Straus (1850-1926)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,728 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on July 14, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 4, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 14, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 8. submitted on October 31, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.