Statue #38: Gerald Ford

Rapid City, South Dakota

"Gerald Ford (1974-1977) was one of the hardest Presidents to come up with a concept for," said Dallerie Davis, co-founder of the City of Presidents project. "We were looking at the clay model of the statue and all agreeing that it was really boring. What pops into your mind when you think of Gerald Ford?" When we answered, "falling down," Dallerie responded, "That's what we came up with! Having him fall down on the street!"

That idea never made it past the concept stage.

The final bronze statue of Ford depicts him standing upright in a business suit, holding a pipe, with his Golden Retriever, Liberty, sitting next to his feet. "We had to think of something interesting," said Dallerie. "So we gave him a dog."

Amazing Arcana of the Presidents

Despite Ford's clumsy rep via the media and comedians, he was one of America's most physically fit Presidents.

[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.