Statue #37: Richard Nixon
Rapid City, South Dakota
What do you do with a Problem President like Richard Nixon (1969-1974)? His most lasting image is of him waggling victory-sign fingers as he flew off in disgrace after resigning the presidency. Sculptor Edward E. Hlavka couldn't show that.
Instead, the artist focused on the 37th President's most impressive international accomplishment: visiting diplomatically shunned Red China and meeting with Mao Zedong. The sculpture shows Nixon sitting in a Chinese chair, negotiating with the unseen Chinese dictator. Unfortunately, since it's Nixon, his hard-focused eyes and tented fingers -- meant to convey gravitas and concentration -- might instead suggest a James Bond villain plotting world domination. The exotic chair doesn't help.
The Nixon sculpture is on the eastern portion of the statue walk, shaded beneath trees and set back from the sidewalk. He shares the intersection with Eisenhower, G.W. Bush, and James K. Polk.
Amazing Arcana of the Presidents
During Nixon's presidency he vetoed NASA's proposed moon base and manned trip to Mars. In their place, he approved the "Space Truck" - later renamed the Space Shuttle.
[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.