Statue # 6: John Quincy Adams

Rapid City, South Dakota

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Rapid City's street corner statue of John Quincy Adams (1825-1829) is that its sculptor, John Lopez, is distantly related to the sixth President. Adams, son of President number two, was the last of the presidential aristocrats, and always dressed formally. That's how Lopez sculpted him, in a cutaway coat with wingtip shoulders, a cane in one hand, top hat and gloves in the other.

Amazing Arcana of the Presidents

Despite his formal demeanor, Adams enjoyed going for morning swims in the Tidal Basin, nude, near the present Jefferson Memorial.

[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.