James Buchanan ~ April 23, 1791 - June 1, 1868

15th President 1857-1861

James Buchanan sites visited:
The site of Buchanan's birth is located in what is now a lovely state park, 2831 W. Stony Batter Road, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.
There's a nice bench but no access.
Nearby, is the boyhood home of Buchanan, now serving as a hotel and restaurant (15 N Main St, Mercersburg PA).
Buchanan is the first president who was born in Pennsylvania (Biden became the second) and is also the only one who never married. He bought the Wheatland house in Lancaster, PA in 1848 and owned it until his death.
                                            A tour of the house is fairly interesting, complete with a tin bathtub.
                                                                             
                                                                    
                                     His study contains a book on his political enemy, Thaddeus Stevens.
The piano holds a book with Harriet Lane's name on it, Buchanan's niece and de facto first lady. She had a very interesting life but that's another story.
The Wheatland property also contains a small museum which held a bit more historical information. Buchanan had a rather stellar career before becoming President but believed the federal government did not have the power to prevent a state's succession from the Union. He also came down on the wrong side of slavery, approving of the Dred Scott decision of  1857. (We took the three photos below in St. Louis, MO, where the case was held.)
                                                           
                                                           
                                                               
                                                                         From the Buchanan museum:
                                           
                                            
                                            
                                                     
                                                   
                We next set out to find his grave in nearby Woodward Hill Cemetery.
                                                    
                                                                
                                      
Rapid City, South Dakota, City of Presidents statue:
Buchanan promised during his inaugural address that he would run for one term only, and he kept his word.  Abraham Lincoln succeeded him and inherited the Civil War.
                                                 "I like the noise of democracy." 

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