Statue #21: Chester A. Arthur
Rapid City, South Dakota
Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885), although not a bad President, was unpopular with the sculptors of the City of Presidents project. His bronze statue was among the last to be completed, and all sculptor John Lopez could come up with was to depict Arthur with his hand raised, taking the oath of office, after the assassination of his predecessor. Although Arthur doesn't merit much attention in Rapid City, his sorrowful angel grave in New York is among the most elaborate of any U.S. President.
Amazing Arcana of the Presidents
Arthur may have been America's most fashion-conscious President. His friends said he owned 80 pairs of pants (at a time went most men had only two) and he would change several times a day.
[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.