Statue #41: George Bush

Rapid City, South Dakota

The bronze statue of George H. W. Bush (1989-1993) stands diagonally across the street from the statue of John Adams, the only other President whose son also became President. This may seem deliberate, but it wasn't; at the time the statue was unveiled in 2000, George W. Bush was still campaigning for the job. Bush Sr., who'd served as CIA director, then as Reagan's VP, stands with his hand resting on a small world globe. Some view this as a reference to his leading role in the Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield) against Iraq (1990-91). Maybe it is -- but Bush's hand rests on China, where he was the U.S. ambassador during the Ford administration in the mid-1970s.

Amazing Arcana of the Presidents

George Bush was the last U.S. President born in a house, not a hospital. That was in 1924.

[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.