Tourist attractions in Washington D.C. : Theodore Roosevelt Island

Theodore Roosevelt Island is located in the middle of the Potomac River, next to Washington D.C. This island, and its memorial, is dedicated to the 26th President of the United States; Theodore Roosevelt. The known history of the island dates back to mid 17th century, when the Anacostia Indians had been relocated to the island. 

Photo by laurabl

The island was later acquired by George Mason in the 18th century, who built a mansion and gardens on the site. The family later left the island and a fire in 1906 destroyed much of garden and the abandoned mansion. Even though the family had left long ago, the island was locally still known as the “Mason Island” and by now the wildlife of the island had once again taken over.

Photo by wallyg

The island was bought by the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association in 1931. The congress authorized the memorial and later provided the appropriate funding in 1960. The memorial was officially dedicated in 1967. The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial is focused around a central plaza, dominated by two fountains and a five meters statue of Theodore Roosevelt. In the plaza, visitors will also be able to find four large stone monoliths with some of Roosevelt’s more famous quotations. The fact that the whole island is dedicated to Roosevelt is very suiting, as he was a true explorer and a wildlife appreciator. A visit to the island is a good way to escape the busy city life and it is unlike any other site in the area.

Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was born into a wealthy and respect family in the mid 19th century. He studied at Harvard and gained an interest in naval affairs. After his studies, he wrote a book on the naval war against the British in 1812. He lived much of his life in New York City, but being the outdoorsman he was, he also spent time in the Badlands. Roosevelt got into politics and led the Department of the Navy but later resigned to lead a small regiment, known as the “Rough Riders”, during Spanish-American war.

After the war, Roosevelt was awarded the Medal of Honor and elected Governor of New York and later Vice President of the United States. With the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, Roosevelt became the US President at only age 42.

Roosevelt’s world stage politics can be defined by his motto “Speak softly and carry a big stick”. He was responsible for finishing the Panama Canal and negotiated an end to the Russian-Japanese war, for which he later gained the Nobel Peace Prize. Roosevelt declined to run for re-election in 1908 and instead went on a long trip through Africa and Europe and later through South America. During the latter he contracted malaria which damaged his health.

He died a few years later at the age of 60. Theodore Roosevelt's achievements as a naturalist, explorer,hunter, author, and soldier are as much a part of his fame as any office he held as a politician. He is ranked one of the greatest Presidents of the United States in history.


Text Source: worldsiteguides.com