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Millburn House historical marker.
Millburn House historical marker.

Where President McKinley Died

Field review by the editors.

Buffalo, New York

President William McKinley was visiting the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo on September 6, 1901, when he was shot by a crazed assassin. Seriously wounded by two bullets, he was treated in the Expo hospital tent by a doctor with little gunshot experience, who couldn't find the bullet in McKinley's gut. The President was brought to the private home where he'd been staying on his visit. He downplayed the wound, and the nation was assured for a time that he was on the mend. But the bullet became gangrenous and McKinley died on September 14, 1901.

House, now demolished, where McKinley died. c. 1908. (Detroit Publishing Co. /Library of Congress)
House, now demolished, where McKinley died. c. 1908. (Detroit Publishing Co. /Library of Congress)

Tourists immediately began chipping pieces off of the house for souvenirs. The room in which McKinley died, called "The Death Chamber," was a bona-fide attraction until it was gutted by a fire in 1907.

In 1957, long after people had stopped caring about William McKinley, the house was torn down and replaced with a parking lot.

Today a small historical marker is what remains.

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Where President McKinley Died

Address:
1168 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY
Directions:
The historical marker is on the west side of Delaware Ave., just north of W. Ferry St., in front of the parking lot for Canisius High School.
Admission:
Free
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In the region:
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