James Buchanan

15th President

1791-1868

Democrat

Had strong leadership experience

During his term, 7 states left the Union

He believed each state should decide the slavery issue for itself

Often ranked amoung the worst Presidents of all-time and it is not uncommon to see him ranked last

Birthplace: Stony Batter, PA

James Buchanan was born here on April 23rd, 1791.  It is nestled in a gap in-between Tuscarora Mountain.  A stone pyramid erected with money provided by Harriet Lane Johnston according to the provisions in her will, stands on the site of the log cabin where he was born.  The pyramid was built in 1907.  It is named "Cove Gap", but usually referred to as "James Buchanan Birthplace State Park".

Birthplace Log Cabin: Mercersburg, PA

James Buchanan was born in this log cabin in 1791.  It was moved from Stony Batter to Mercersburg, from Mercersburg to Chambersburg, it was moved here, on campus of the Mercersburg Academy, in 1953.

Boyhood Home: Mercersburg, PA

James Buchanan, Jr. lived here, on the second floor.  It is named "The Buchanan Hotel", and is only accessible from the inside if you stay there.

Home: Lancaster, PA

James Buchanan lived here from 1848-1868, it was here that he died,  It is named "Wheatland".

The story

On Friday August 27, 2010, me and my family left for Lancaster, Pennsylvania to visit the Buchanan sites there, as well as go to Gettysburg and possibly Hershey.  We first arrived at our hotel around 9:30 PM and the next day we set out to Lancaster.

Our first stop was Wheatland, the James Buchanan home.

Visitor Center and Museum

Gardens located at the estate

In front of Wheatland.

Carraige located in the museum, the Buchanan likeness is creepy!

Grave: Lancaster, PA

Attempted trip to visit his grave

Our original plan was to stop in Lancaster and Philadelphia on the way to Washington, D.C.  However, we spent a little too much time in Philadelphia and were unable to visit Lancaster.

The story

After visiting Wheatland, we headed out to Woodward Hill Cemetery to visit the James Buchanan gravesite.  When we got there, I realized the cemetery was much larger than I expected, but we still were able to easily locate the grave of James Buchanan.  Since he had no wife or children, his grave was the only one we needed to see in that cemetery, and so we headed to the Trinity Lutheran Church next.

Sign

This was the first sign pointing out that James Buchanan was buried in this cemetery.

Sign #2

This was the second sign pointing out his burial location.

Me standing by the grave of President Buchanan

Me and my dad standing by the grave of James Buchanan

Grave of Anne Coleman

Anne Coleman was the fiance of future President James Buchanan.  She died mysteriously in 1819.

Grave

Memorial: Washington, D.C.

Located in Meridian Hill Park in Washington, this memorial was erected using funds provided by Harriet Lane in her will.