Statue #39: Jimmy Carter
Rapid City, South Dakota
Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) was always happiest when he wasn't President, and his statue by John Lopez shows him at just such a time: Jimmy stands, suit jacket draped across one arm, hand upraised and waving. The pose is modeled on a photo of Jimmy campaigning in his summer shirtsleeves in 1976 -- but because of the statue's position on the sidewalk it looks like he's waving across the street at the President who defeated him in 1980: Ronald Reagan. At the base of Carter's statue, a decoratively framed inscription features one of his signature peanuts.
Amazing Arcana of the Presidents
If you like craft beer, thank Jimmy Carter; as President, he deregulated the beer industry.
[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.