Feb 09, 2009 12:47 - By: Ed Lamaze
The Eight Presidents from Ohio--The Mother of Presidents (photo world almanac.com/us gov)
One would think that the selection pool for presidential office holders in the United States would be spread fairly wide. There are 50 states, we’ve had nearly 50 presidents. To be exact we’ve had 44. Unless you live under a rock, and no offense intended if you do, I hear rocks are very nice, you certainly recall the historic events of last month. (We inaugurated the 44th president of the United States.) The thing most fascinating about Mr. Obama is not that our new president is left handed for there have been others. No, what I find most astounding is that he was not from Ohio!
That’s right. Ohio is noted not only for cold, harsh winters and a disturbing fascination with a football team that considers a poisonous nut its mascot but also to have provided this great nation of ours with eight presidents, more than any other state in the nation. Hence its fitting nickname, The Mother of Presidents.
Presidents Day is coming up this Monday, February 16. And certainly you could spend the three day weekend firing up the barbecue and celebrating with family and friends, relaxing at home. Or…
You could pack up the caravan and give yourself a three day weekend of history in America’s Heartland. A mini presidential tour.
- William Henry Harrison (9th) The Harrison Gravesite is located in North Bend, Ohio a small village on the Ohio River just 21 miles west Cincinnati. There is also a marker at the corner of Symmes Avenue and Washington indicating the birthplace of Benjamin Harrison (23rd). He was the grandson of William Henry and though Indiana also claims him Ohio gets him, too, because he was born here. (Apparently, the rules for claiming a president are fairly lax as William Henry was born in Virginia but lived in Ohio.)
Harrison Tomb in North Bend, OH (photo by Bonnie Wetik)
- Ulysses S. Grant (18th) Ulyssess was born in Point Pleasant, OH, east of Cincinnati on the Ohio River. The Grant birthplace is a 3 room cottage located at 1551 State Route 232, just off of U.S. Route 52. It has been meticulously restored and furnished with period items. The site is open April-October Wednesday-Sunday.
Grant Birthplace Point Pleasant, OH (photo Bruce Uher)
- Rutherford B Hayes (19th) Rutherford B. Hayes was born in Delaware, Ohio. There is a marker on E. William St. where the house once stood but I wouldn’t waste too much time looking for it unless you need some gas and a snack or a maybe a haircut. The marker is in front of a gas station and sits next door to a barber shop. No appointment is necessary. Rather, you’ll want to visit the Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, OH on the sprawling estate known as Spiegel Grove. The center consists of the Hayes Home, a 31 room mansion constructed by Hayes’ uncle, and the Hayes Museum and Presidential Library. It was the first presidential library in the country and houses over 70,000 books. The library is closed on Sundays, otherwise the facility is open year round, save holidays.
Rutherford Hayes Home Fremont, OH (photo Tom Reed)
- James A. Garfield (20th) The Garfield home, known as Lawnfield, located in Mentor, OH offers regular tours of the home and grounds. There are also various special tour options available to appeal to any age visitor. The center is open weekends November through April and seven days beginning May.
James Garfield Home Mentor, OH photo public domain
- William McKinley (25th) The McKinley birthplace home located at 40 South Main St. in Niles, Ohio is decorated with period furnishings and artifacts. The home is open daily for tours but it is suggested by their website to call for specific details prior to visiting. Just up the street at 46 N. Main St. is the McKinley Memorial Museum and Library. The facility, which takes up an entire city square, is open year round and does not charge an admission fee.
McKinley Birthplace Home Niles, OH (photo public domain)
- William Howard Taft (27th) The William Howard Taft National Historic Site is located at 2038 Auburn Ave. in Cincinnati, OH. It is open year round (save Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years) and is free to the public. The center is operated by the National Park Service and offers numerous educational and informative programs. The park service recommends visiting the TEC (Taft Educational Center) for more information on Taft and some other points of interest in Cincinnati.
Taft National Historic Site Cincinnati, OH (photo nps.gov)
- Warren G. Harding (29th) The Warren G. Harding Home at 380 Mt. Vernon Ave and Harding Memorial at the intersection of Delaware and Vernon Heights Blvd are located in Marion, OH. The house reportedly contains almost all of the original furnishings of President Harding. It is open for tours year round with hours of operation varying. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6. The Memorial is free to visit.
Harding Memorial Marion, OH (photo Ed Lamaze)
So there you have it. One state, 8 US Presidents. OK, so it may take you more than three days to hit them all. So stay longer. Really, we’ve just had a winter heat wave move through our fair state and most of the snow has melted. The resulting flooding has been minimal and should not be of concern to the heartiest of travelers.
Happy Presidents Day!
