Statue #30: Calvin Coolidge

Rapid City, South Dakota

Although Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929) was a tight-lipped New Englander who never lassoed a steer in his life, he really enjoyed dressing like a cowboy when he vacationed in South Dakota in 1927 (Cal was also photographed in a Lakota eagle feather headdress -- not the best optics for posterity, though).

The Calvin Coolidge bronze statue, by John Lopez, stands on the same block as the Rapid City Journal, across the street from a Mexican restaurant and a row of shops. It's the most popular of all the 40+ President statues on the street corners of Rapid City, even though Coolidge himself is barely remembered today. Coolidge stands in a business suit and cowboy boots, waving a huge Stetson hat with a satisfied grin. The bronze saddle next to him was modeled on one given to Coolidge by a Rapid City saddle maker. Tourists love to straddle it for photos.

Amazing Arcana of the Presidents

Coolidge would sometimes walk around the White House with his pet raccoon, Rebecca, draped across his shoulders.

[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.