Statue # 8: Martin van Buren

Rapid City, South Dakota

Looking more rustic and unhoused than presidential, bronze Martin van Buren (1837-1841) sits on a bench. His politics may have been unremarkable, but his sartorial style was unique, even for the fashion-challenged men of the 19th century -- with his bald head, overgrown fringe of hair and fluffy sideburns, his fur-collared coat, walking cane, and knee-high boots. In his lap rests a copy of the Kinderhook Rough Notes, his New York hometown newspaper.

The bench spot next to van Buren is empty, and welcomes all who'd like to sit next to a President who spoke English as a second language (after Dutch).

Amazing Arcana of the Presidents

Van Buren's Vice-President, Richard Mentor Johnson, was so creepy and crazy that van Buren ran for reelection without a VP -- but lost anyway.

[Discover more fascinating details in the Roadside Presidents iPhone app!]

City of Presidents

Since 2000, Rapid City has commissioned and installed bronze statues of every former U.S. President on its downtown street corners. Visitors are encouraged to take a walking tour of the City of Presidents and inspect the nation's metallic Commanders in Chief. Paper guides are available year-round at the city's main Visitor Center at 512 Main St.