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Here's a Guide to Some of D.C.'s Lesser Known Monuments

By Valerie Paschall
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By Valerie Paschall
4 comments / new

The Hidden Memorials series has given a quick primer to many of the city's monuments, several just off the National Mall, that most residents simply don't know about. Some are controversial like the Temperance Fountain and the Victims of Communism Memorial. Still others like Bridge Tender's House are often in plain sight but beyond the realm of common knowledge. But whether off the beaten path or simply overlooked, these obscure memorials have a story. Here's a look at the thirteen that Curbed has covered thus far.


· All Hidden Memorials Coverage [CDC]

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Albert Einstein Memorial

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This bronze statue of the famous scientist sits on the campus of the National Academy of Sciences. It was dedicated in 1979, 100 years after Einstein's birth. Photo by Adam Fagen.

2100 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

USS Maine Memorial - Cuban American Friendship Urn / Monumento A Las Victims Del "Maine"

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This memorial has a very strange history. The monument to fallen American sailors off the coast of Cuba was gifted to President Coolidge in 1928 but mysteriously disappeared for several decades during the height of U.S./Cuba tensions. Photo by Flickr user cliff1066™.

Ohio St SW, Washington, D.C.

Titanic Memorial

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The outstretched arms may recall a famous scene from the 1997 film, but this 1931 monument looking over the water memorializes the male passengers of the ship who gave up their lives so that the women and children could use the lifeboats. Photo by Tim Evanson

P St & 4th St SW, Washington, D.C.

Samuel Hahnemann Memorial

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This massive memorial in the center of Scott Circle is a dedication to the father of homeopathic medicine. Photo by Adam Fagen.

Massachusetts Ave NW and Corregidor St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Van Ness Mausoleum at Oak Hill Cemetery

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This large Greek Revival structure holds the former mayor of D.C. and his wife. Before its move to Oak Hill Cemetery, it stood in front of an orphanage in Penn Quarter. Photo by NCinDC.

3001 R St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 337-2835
(202) 337-2835

Sonny Bono Memorial Park

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The deceased singer/politician had a good friend in developer Geary Simon. This little 800 square foot triangle south of Dupont Circle has a chest carrying some of Bono's treasured artifacts buried underneath. Photo by Andy Buschap

Washington, D.C.

Temperance Fountain

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This statue near the National Mall was meant to be an inspiration to drink water instead of liquor, but the water fountain has long since stopped working. Photo by Flickr user NCinDC.

Washington, D.C. 20004

"Motherland," The Armenian Earthquake Statue

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This statue stands on the North Lawn of the American Red Cross Headquarters. It was a gift to the organization after their assistance during a 1988 earthquake in Armenia. Photo by David King.

431 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Bartholdi Fountain

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This work of art in the Botanic Garden was named "The Fountain of Light and Water" but it is more commonly called the Bartholdi fountain, after its creator. Fun fact: he also designed the Statue of Liberty! Photo courtesy of the U.S. Capitol.

100 1st Ave, Washington, D.C. 20319
(202) 225-8333
(202) 225-8333

Boy Scouts of America Memorial

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The coolest thing about this statue on the Ellipse is that the Boy Scouts of America paid for the memorial themselves. Photo by Robert Goodwin.

15 Lenfant Plz SW, Washington, D.C. 20560

Victims of Communism Memorial

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This may surpass the still-unbuilt Eisenhower Memorial the most controversial monument in the city. The Ukrainians even built a Museum of American Imperialism in agitated protest. Photo by Cesar Harada.

707 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 536-2373
(202) 536-2373

Bridge Tender's House

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The watchtower on the 14th Street Bridge became a kaleidoscopic work of colorful public art in 2009. Photo by Flickr user art around.

I-395 & U.S. 1, Washington, D.C.

(Here I Stand) In the Spirit of Paul Robeson

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This glass and steel statue in Petworth by Allen Uzikee Nelson is in homage to the internationally renowned singer, athlete and activist. Photo by Valerie Paschall.

Georgia Ave & Kansas Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20011

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Albert Einstein Memorial

2100 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

This bronze statue of the famous scientist sits on the campus of the National Academy of Sciences. It was dedicated in 1979, 100 years after Einstein's birth. Photo by Adam Fagen.

2100 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20037

USS Maine Memorial - Cuban American Friendship Urn / Monumento A Las Victims Del "Maine"

Ohio St SW, Washington, D.C.

This memorial has a very strange history. The monument to fallen American sailors off the coast of Cuba was gifted to President Coolidge in 1928 but mysteriously disappeared for several decades during the height of U.S./Cuba tensions. Photo by Flickr user cliff1066™.

Ohio St SW, Washington, D.C.

Titanic Memorial

P St & 4th St SW, Washington, D.C.

The outstretched arms may recall a famous scene from the 1997 film, but this 1931 monument looking over the water memorializes the male passengers of the ship who gave up their lives so that the women and children could use the lifeboats. Photo by Tim Evanson

P St & 4th St SW, Washington, D.C.

Samuel Hahnemann Memorial

Massachusetts Ave NW and Corregidor St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

This massive memorial in the center of Scott Circle is a dedication to the father of homeopathic medicine. Photo by Adam Fagen.

Massachusetts Ave NW and Corregidor St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Van Ness Mausoleum at Oak Hill Cemetery

3001 R St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

This large Greek Revival structure holds the former mayor of D.C. and his wife. Before its move to Oak Hill Cemetery, it stood in front of an orphanage in Penn Quarter. Photo by NCinDC.

3001 R St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 337-2835
(202) 337-2835

Sonny Bono Memorial Park

Washington, D.C.

The deceased singer/politician had a good friend in developer Geary Simon. This little 800 square foot triangle south of Dupont Circle has a chest carrying some of Bono's treasured artifacts buried underneath. Photo by Andy Buschap

Washington, D.C.

Temperance Fountain

Washington, D.C. 20004

This statue near the National Mall was meant to be an inspiration to drink water instead of liquor, but the water fountain has long since stopped working. Photo by Flickr user NCinDC.

Washington, D.C. 20004

"Motherland," The Armenian Earthquake Statue

431 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

This statue stands on the North Lawn of the American Red Cross Headquarters. It was a gift to the organization after their assistance during a 1988 earthquake in Armenia. Photo by David King.

431 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Bartholdi Fountain

100 1st Ave, Washington, D.C. 20319

This work of art in the Botanic Garden was named "The Fountain of Light and Water" but it is more commonly called the Bartholdi fountain, after its creator. Fun fact: he also designed the Statue of Liberty! Photo courtesy of the U.S. Capitol.

100 1st Ave, Washington, D.C. 20319
(202) 225-8333
(202) 225-8333

Boy Scouts of America Memorial

15 Lenfant Plz SW, Washington, D.C. 20560

The coolest thing about this statue on the Ellipse is that the Boy Scouts of America paid for the memorial themselves. Photo by Robert Goodwin.

15 Lenfant Plz SW, Washington, D.C. 20560

Victims of Communism Memorial

707 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

This may surpass the still-unbuilt Eisenhower Memorial the most controversial monument in the city. The Ukrainians even built a Museum of American Imperialism in agitated protest. Photo by Cesar Harada.

707 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 536-2373
(202) 536-2373

Bridge Tender's House

I-395 & U.S. 1, Washington, D.C.

The watchtower on the 14th Street Bridge became a kaleidoscopic work of colorful public art in 2009. Photo by Flickr user art around.

I-395 & U.S. 1, Washington, D.C.

(Here I Stand) In the Spirit of Paul Robeson

Georgia Ave & Kansas Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20011

This glass and steel statue in Petworth by Allen Uzikee Nelson is in homage to the internationally renowned singer, athlete and activist. Photo by Valerie Paschall.

Georgia Ave & Kansas Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20011