Statue #12: Zachary Taylor

Rapid City, South Dakota

Zachary Taylor (1849-1950), who died after only a year in office as U.S. President, is depicted in bronze as he looked as a wartime general, with a stern face, one hand clutching a telescope, the other on his sword, and one foot resting on a little cannon (aimed at Woodrow Wilson across the street). According to Dallerie Davis, co-founder of the City of Presidents project, one of the primary donors for this statue -- all of the President statues were privately funded -- had their business headquarters in Mexico, the country that Taylor invaded and helped turn into Texas.

Amazing Arcana of the Presidents

Taylor brought his war horse, Old Whitey, to Washington, and would turn him loose on the White House lawn to eat grass.

[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.