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Plaque marking assassination spot.
Plaque marking assassination spot.

Where President McKinley Was Shot

Field review by the editors.

Buffalo, New York

Today, Fordham Drive on the north side of Buffalo, New York, runs through a pleasant-looking neighborhood of older homes. But in 1901 the space was occupied by the Temple of Music at the Pan-American Exposition, the World's Fair of its day. It was there, on September 6, that President William McKinley was shot as he tried to shake hands with Leon Czolgosz (CHOLE-goash), a deranged anarchist. McKinley died eight days later of his wounds. Czolgosz followed not long after in the electric chair.

Artist depiction of 1901 McKinley assassination, c. 1905 (T. Dart Walker/Library of Congress)
Artist depiction of 1901 McKinley assassination, c. 1905 (T. Dart Walker/Library of Congress)

The spot was marked on June 28, 1921, by a small plaque on a small rock, outlining the bare facts of the assassination. It still sits in the Fordham Drive median. When the weather's warm, as it often is on September 6, the tiny memorial is flanked by flowers and little American flags.

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Where President McKinley Was Shot

Address:
Fordham Drive, Buffalo, NY
Directions:
In the grassy median of Fordham Drive, five houses west of Lincoln Pkwy. When the weather's warm look for the flowers and little American flags.
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Nearby Offbeat Places

The Gun That Killed President McKinleyThe Gun That Killed President McKinley, Buffalo, NY - < 1 mi.
Sixty Canoes Piled on a PoleSixty Canoes Piled on a Pole, Buffalo, NY - < 1 mi.
Karma: Tower of Stacked HumansKarma: Tower of Stacked Humans, Buffalo, NY - < 1 mi.
In the region:
Floral Clock, Queenston, ON, Canada - 17 mi.

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