William McKinley

25th President

2 terms

Republican

1843-1901

Assassinated while in office

He worked mainly for the rights of the public rather than businesses

Led the country through the Spanish-American War

Signed a bill to annex Hawaii

Birthplace: Niles, OH

William McKinley, the last President to have served in the Civil War, was born here on January 29th, 1843.  The house was moved twice before it burned down in 1937.  A replica was built from 2002-2008 on the site.

Birthplace Memorial and Library: Niles, OH

On this site stand a library, museum, and statues, along with gardens.

Home: Canton, OH

William lived here from 1878-1891.  It is called the "Saxton-McKinley House", and is now the First Ladies Museum.

Grave: Canton, OH 

In 1907, this tomb was dedicated and his body was placed in it.

Former Burial Site: Canton, OH

From 1901-1907, the body of William McKinley lay here, in the Wert's Receiving Vault.

Assassination Site: Buffalo, NY

On Septemeber 6, 1901, President McKinley was shot by Leon Czolgosz while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, NY.  The building was demolished in 1901, after the assassination, but a marker is located on the alleged spot where he was killed.

The Story

After visiting the Fillmore Gravesite and City Hall, we decided to go to the McKinley assassination site next.  Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful at finding the boulder, and we were forced to leave in order to tour the Fillmore House, which we missed anyway.  Later, we went back to see the assassination site as a great wrap-up to our final trip of the summer of 2009.

President McKinley was assassinated in the Temple of Music, shown here, in 1901.

Memorial: Buffalo, NY

In the center of Niagara Square stands a large obelisk, dedicated to William McKinley.

The Story

I wasn't paying much attention during the ride to City Hall, so when I looked up, I saw the McKinley monument and said to drive straight to it, it had been visible for many blocks before this.