James K. Polk ~ November 2, 1795 - June 15, 1849

11th President, 1845-1849
James Polk sites visited:
Polk was born in Pineville, North Carolina on this site. Nothing original remains but the acreage itself (22 acres of the original 150 acre farm). The buildings are reconstructions.
The monument that marked the original location of the Polk home was moved near the park entrance to make way for the reconstructions. Strange but ok 😏
The Polk home in Columbia, Tennessee, is the only surviving Polk residence. It was built by his father, Samuel Polk, in 1816, and James lived there from 1818-1824. Many of the artifacts preserved in this home belonged to James and Sarah Polk and we had a lovely docent-guided tour.
Interior photos and artifacts.
James Polk's glasses.
James Polk's day bed.






This is the first photograph of a President with his Cabinet.
The Polks had slaves and they lived/worked behind the house. The fountain in the garden belonged to James and Sarah.
About a block down the street, James and Sarah had a house in which they lived until they moved to the White House. Instead of preserving it, the Funeral Home who came in possession of the property, tore it down for a parking lot. The Polks lived there from 1824-1845.
Facing the Polk home, two statues of James and Sarah stand.
James also has a statue with the other Presidents in Rapids City, South Dakota.
Sadly, Polk Place in Nashville, the house to which the Polks moved after he left office was also torn down, in 1901. The Capitol Hotel currently stands on the site.
Polk died three months after leaving office and Sarah lived there until her death in 1891.
And that brings us to their final resting place, on the grounds of the State Capitol.
We don't usually take a picture of ourselves at president graves but this one was our very last presidential grave that we have visited, #40.
Polk is included in the "Pride of Tennessee" painting that hangs in the Capitol. He stands alongside Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson.
James Polk was a U.S. Representative, Tennessee Governor, and a dark horse nomination for President. Andrew Jackson supported his nomination and election. Polk promised to serve one term only and he kept his promise. 
He was an advocate of national expansion and by the end of his term had added over 1 million square miles of territory, through a treaty with England and war with Mexico. For the first time, our country went from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Polk reduced tariffs and created an independent treasury, completing the last two of his stated goals as president.
Rest in Peace, James Polk.

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