Oriental Building Association
 German Roots in Washington

  • Oriental Building Association building, 2016 Photo credit: Bruce Guthrie
    Oriental Building Association building, 2016
  • Oriental Building Association building detail, 2016 Photo credit: Bruce Guthrie
    Oriental Building Association building detail, 2016
At 600 F Street, NW stood the OBA (Oriental Building Association) Federal Savings & Loan Association that was founded in 1861 as a "German" bank; the building, now closed, was designed by Albert Goehner. OBA remains the oldest savings and loan association in the nation and in 2003 moved a few blocks to 700 7th Street NW.