Statue #14: Franklin Pierce
Rapid City, South Dakota
Franklin Pierce (1853-1857) was likable as a person but bad as a President. Sculptor James Van Nuys gave his bronze statue of Pierce a haunted look, possibly anticipating the Civil War that he failed to prevent, but more likely mourning his third and last-living child, who died in a train wreck that Pierce and his wife survived. Known for his excess drinking, Pierce stands in front of a Rapid City bar; the juxtaposition is not intentional.
Amazing Arcana of the Presidents
Pierce was the first president to have a Christmas tree and a bathtub in the White House.
[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.