185: MY GRAVE SITUATION ONE THRU THIRTY-NINE

There are many folks who have a goal of visiting every Presidential gravesite in our nation, but only a few have accomplished the feat. As far as I know, I’m the only bobble head who has been to all 39 gravesites. As a matter of fact, it took me only six years and two weeks to see every one; my visit to George H. W. Bush’s final resting place happened just nine months after he had passed away. I know what you must be thinking: “TJ, what’s your favorite Presidential grave?” In this post, I’ve personally ranked all 39 Presidential gravesites and the reason for my ranking. In the comment section, please let me know how many Presidential graves you’ve visited and what your ranking is. Enjoy the show!

1 – JAMES A. GARFIELD LAKE VIEW CEMETERY CLEVELAND, OHIO

The sheer size and majestic-creepy beauty of Garfield’s tomb easily made it my favorite. I’ve made three visits – July 17, 2013, August 17, 2015, and May 19, 2019.
The interior crypt of the tomb featured the caskets of James and Lucretia Garfield; they are the only Presidential caskets on full display. The ashes of daughter Mary Garfield Stanley-Brown and son-in-law Joseph Stanley Brown were in the crypt as well. After my first visit in 2013, Garfield’s ghost removed my head from my body.
On the two subsequent visits, my photographer taunted Garfield in hopes the President’s spirit would mess with me again. In this image, taken in 2019, Tom left me alone on the floor inside the burial chamber. Out of nowhere, and for no apparent or logical explanation, my photographer’s cell phone started playing a song – and it wasn’t his ring tone.

2 – WILLIAM McKINLEY McKINLEY MEMORIAL PARK CANTON, OHIO

The McKinley Memorial was nearly as impressive as Garfield’s, but it wasn’t quite as eerily unique or “spooktacular”. I have visited the tomb of our 25th President three times – July 11, 2013, June 5, 2020, and May 26, 2021.
The interior of the McKinley tomb wasn’t as cool as Garfield’s, either. Besides the two giant marble sarcophagi of William and Ida McKinley, their daughters Katie and Ida were entombed there as well.
During my 2020 visit, the tomb was closed to visitors due to the COVID pandemic, which was the reason for my face mask as well.

3 – JOHN F. KENNEDY ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

The beautiful tranquil setting in Arlington National Cemetery easily made JFK’s grave my third favorite. I have visited Kennedy’s grave twice – July 19, 2014 and May 20, 2021. The Kennedy plot featured the graves of President Kennedy, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and their infant children Patrick and Arabella.
On my first visit, I was shocked when my photographer, Bob Moldenhauer, and I were all alone at the gravesite. That meant only one thing – I had to stand on JFK’s headstone.

4 – WARREN G. HARDING HARDING MEMORIAL MARION, OHIO

Even though Warren G. Harding has never been considered one of our best Presidents, his tomb is one of the best – and it looked spectacular at night. I’ve visited Harding’s tomb three times – July 10, 2013, July 30, 2020, and May 27, 2021.
The interior of the memorial was designed in accordance with the President’s wishes to be buried outside. The sarcophagi of Warren and Florence Harding were prominently centered inside the memorial.

5 – ANDREW JOHNSON ANDREW JOHNSON NATIONAL CEMETERY GREENEVILLE, TENNESSEE

Andrew Johnson has been viewed as one of our worst Presidents, but I thought his ornate tombstone was very creative and beautiful. The area on top of Monument Hill in Greeneville was magnificently spectacular as well. So much so, in fact, I’ve been to Johnson’s grave three times – August 20, 2017, July 11, 2019, and May 15, 2021. Can you spot me standing on Johnson’s monument? I’m just below the “trophy” on the left.
The Andrew Johnson monument was beautifully lit at night, but it was eerie to be alone in that cemetery as Tom, Bob, and I were the only ones alive there. President Johnson and his wife Eliza were interred beneath the monument, while their children and some grandchildren were buried in the plot as well. Thanks to Bob Moldenhauer for making sure I had the opportunity to stand on President Johnson’s tombstone.

6 – ABRAHAM LINCOLN OAK RIDGE CEMETERY SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

I thought Lincoln’s Tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery looked gawdy, but because Lincoln was our greatest President, his grave ranked sixth on my list. I’ve only visited Lincoln’s tomb once – July 11, 2014.
Once inside the tomb, my photographer made sure he placed me on top of Abraham Lincoln’s grave marker. Also interred inside the tomb was Mary Todd Lincoln, along with sons Eddie, Willie and Tad. With that stunt, my legend now belongs to the ages!

7 – FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT F.D.R. NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE HYDE PARK, NEW YORK

Even though FDR’s tombstone was simple in design, which was what he had requested, it had a special dignity that blew me away – especially when I stood on it during my only visit on July 9, 2017. It’s easy to see the burial plots of Franklin (flag) and Eleanor Roosevelt.
The vegetation that covered President Roosevelt’s plot was difficult to stand on. My photographer had to dig me into place to keep me from tipping over. As I stood on FDR’s grave, I had to pinch myself to be convinced it wasn’t a dream.

8 – THOMAS JEFFERSON MONTICELLO GRAVEYARD CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

The grave of Thomas Jefferson is marked with a plain obelisk, but the fact that Jefferson himself had designed it and directed the monument’s scripture placed it in my Top 10. Plus, it’s Thomas Jefferson – enough said. I’ve visited the grave twice – May 12, 2019 and May 17, 2021. Thomas and Martha Jefferson were buried beneath the obelisk, along with two daughters and a son-in-law.
The Monticello Graveyard was where countless members of Jefferson’s family have been buried over the years. The granite stone pictured next to my left hand marked the grave of Thomas Jefferson’s mother Jane Randolph Jefferson.

9 – GEORGE WASHINGTON MOUNT VERNON MOUNT VERNON, VIRGINIA

George and Martha Washington were entombed in this “new” family vault roughly 30 years after the President’s death in 1799. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting twice – July 20, 2014 and May 15, 2019. Mount Vernon plantation is an amazing place to visit and the tomb is a short hike from the mansion.
My ultimate goal was to stand on Washington’s sarcophagus, but thanks to a very mean and sarcastic woman in charge of overseeing the crypt, that never happened. I did manage to get fairly close, however – even though the woman said I was “Irreverent”.

10 – WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON HARRISON MEMORIAL NORTH BEND, OHIO

Although not an ornate structure, the 60-foot-tall William Henry Harrison Tomb Memorial which sat atop Mt. Nebo was still impressive. I’ve had the honor of visiting twice – September 6, 2014 and May 14, 2021.
On one of my two visits, I was afforded the opportunity to go inside the crypt area and stand on the burial vault of William Henry and Anna Symmes Harrison. Their son, John Scott Harrison, was the father of 23rd President Benjamin Harrison and was entombed next to his parents. Other deceased Harrison family members rested inside the crypt as well.

11 – ULYSSES S. GRANT MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

The exterior of Grant’s Tomb was very impressive; however, the drawback was the neighborhood the tomb was located in. I was there on July 19, 2017 and will very likely not go back. But then again, you never know!
Who’s buried in Grant’s Tomb? No one! The bodies of Ulysses and Julia Grant were encased in the sarcophagi below me. The reason I ranked Grant’s Tomb slightly out of the Top Ten was because of its interior design and the visibility of the sarcophagi. Oh, and the neighborhood.

12 – ANDREW JACKSON JACKSON FAMILY CEMETERY HERMITAGE, TENNESSEE

I loved the gravesite’s design and the location, which was in Rachel Jackson’s beloved garden at the Hermitage. Due to a fence, I was unable to stand on the graves of Andrew and Rachel Jackson during my only visit on July 7, 2014. I think I need to visit the Hermitage with Bob Moldenhauer!

13 – CHESTER ARTHUR ALBANY RURAL CEMETERY MENANDS, NEW YORK

Even though Chester Arthur was not a great President, I liked the design of his final resting place; especially the bronze angel watching over the sarcophagus. His wife Ellen, who died before Chester became President, was buried nearby. I visited this gravesite on July 8, 2017.
During my short visit at the grave of President Chester Arthur, I felt secure standing near his guarding angel – especially when it began to sprinkle.

14 – JAMES K. POLK STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

While not overly ornate in architectural design, I loved the fact that James and Sarah Polk were presently entombed on the State Capitol Grounds in Nashville. I have visited Polk’s grave once on July 8, 2014.
My photographer stepped over the small fence and placed me on Polk’s tomb. It was an honor for me to stand on the grave of one of my favorite Presidents. The only thought I had during my time on the tomb was James’ last words before he died: “I love you, Sarah. For all eternity, I love you.”

15 – JAMES MONROE HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Known by locals as “The Bird Cage” because of its design, I found the grave of James Monroe uniquely interesting. The final resting places of his wife Elizabeth, their daughter, and son-in-law were just outside the cage.
I was very nervous when Tom reached inside the cage and set me on Monroe’s sarcophagus. Had I fallen, I may have never gotten “out of jail”.

16 – HERBERT HOOVER HOOVER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY WEST BRANCH, IOWA

While the marble grave markers of Herbert and Lou Henry Hoover were simple in design, the landscaping of the burial site behind the Presidential birthplace was impressive. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting twice – June 29, 2015 and October 8, 2021.
Several hundred yards in the distance was the birthplace of Herbert Hoover. The only other place in the country where a visitor can see a Presidential grave and birthplace at the same time was at Richard Nixon’s Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California.

17 – WOODROW WILSON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL WASHINGTON, D.C.

Some might rank Woodrow Wilson’s tomb higher because of its location in Washington’s National Cathedral, which is spectacular. However, the design of Wilson’s sarcophagus made it hard for me to read his name, which was why I ranked it 17th. His second wife, Edith Bolling Wilson, was entombed nearby in the Wilson Bay.
Woodrow Wilson was entombed inside the Washington National Cathedral, and he is still the only President buried in Washington D.C. My only visit to the cathedral was on July 18, 2014.

18 – BENJAMIN HARRISON CROWN HILL CEMETERY INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

In my opinion, the grave of Benjamin Harrison had a majestic feel to it and the entire plot was well landscaped. Both of Harrison’s wives, Caroline Scott and Mary Dimmick; as well as his son Russell and daughter Mary were buried alongside the President. My only visit was on July 6, 2014.
I wanted to stand on the large monument that marked the Harrison plot, but Tom couldn’t find a flat surface where I wouldn’t fall to my death. Instead, I settled for the small marker that was less dangerous.

19 – RUTHERFORD B. HAYES SPEIGEL GROVE FREMONT, OHIO

Spiegel Grove, the home of Rutherford and Lucy Hayes, is one of my favorite Presidential homes to visit. The President and his wife, along with son Webb, were buried in the family burial ground located a short distance from the mansion. It’s the closest Presidential grave to my home in Michigan and I’ve visited three times – July 10, 2013, March 16, 2019, and May 27, 2021.
During my last visit to Spiegel Grove in 2021, I had a chance to see Webb Hayes’ grave behind the tomb of his parents.

20 – FRANKLIN PIERCE OLD NORTH CEMETERY CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

The final resting place of America’s saddest President featured a middle-of-the-road monument, in my opinion. But when I stood on the marker, I couldn’t help but feel sadness for the family buried there – which included President Franklin Pierce and his wife Jane, along with sons Frank and Bennie. My lone visit was on July 11, 2017.
Even though the Pierce tombstone wasn’t elaborate or ornate, and some people may think I overrated it. But during my visit, something touched me deep inside; the day, little Bennie, died. Perhaps it was the spirit of 11-year-old Benjamin Pierce that helped me rank this grave in the Top 20!

21 – GERALD FORD FORD PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

Even though Gerald Ford is the only President buried in Michigan, I’ve visited the gravesite only once so far – on September 22, 2014. The body of our 38th President rests in a uniquely designed hillside memorial alongside his wife Betty. The gravesite was nestled in a beautiful area just a shortt distance from Ford’s Presidential Museum.
While I hung from the ‘R’ by my ponytail, I prayed the Gorilla Glue wouldn’t fail. When I looked up and saw the phrase inscribed on the tomb, I thought to myself: “That should say ‘Lives Committed to God, Country, Love, and Gorilla Glue'”.

22 – HARRY S TRUMAN TRUMAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI

Even though the graves of Harry and Bess Truman were located in a beautifully landscaped area just outside the Presidential Library, I was underwhelmed for some reason. The cremated remains of their daughter Margaret and her husband were buried nearby. My only visit to the Truman gravesite was on July 23, 2016.
At first, I didn’t know what the strange lines were on the face of the granite marker. Then it dawned on me. They were likely the result from someone power-washing the headstone. No wonder I ranked this grave at number 22.

23 – RONALD REAGAN REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

The only reason the grave of Ronald and Nancy Reagan ranked as high as it did was because the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is my favorite of all Presidential museums. The grave of our 40th President was underwhelming and quite disappointing, although the view of the neighboring canyon from the gravesite was breathtaking.
Dring my visit on August 2, 2018, I had hoped my graceful photographer would scale the barricade and place me on Reagan’s headstone. But when Tom saw the security camera in the bushes behind the gravesite, he refrained from going in. I don’t think even the “Great Mongo” would try that stunt either.

24 – CALVIN COOLIDGE PLYMOUTH NOTCH CEMETERY PLYMOUTH, VERMONT

Plymouth Notch Cemetery is located within a mile of Calvin Coolidge’s birthplace and the scenery in the area was serene and beautiful. President Coolidge’s marker was simple, but that wasn’t a bad thing in this case. The President was buried alongside his wife Grace and two sons John and Calvin, Jr. My only visit was on July 11, 2017.
I had an amazing view of the surrounding hills while I stood on the tombstone of our 30th President ‘Silent Cal’ Coolidge – The man born on the Fourth of July.

25 – GEORGE H.W. BUSH BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS

When I made my first visit to the gravesite of George H.W. Bush, my goal of seeing every Presidential grave had been fulfilled. The Bush family graveyard is located a quarter mile behind the Presidential Library and it’s a very peaceful hike along a pond and through some woods to get there. My two visits to the final resting places of President Bush, his wife Barbara, and daughter Robin were on July 25, 2019 and October 22, 2021.
Although the Bush family graveyard was well landscaped and was a very nice place to visit, the fact that I couldn’t get closer to the President’s tombstone was a disappointment. The gates behind me were locked and the fencing was something even Mongo couldn’t scale.

26 – JAMES MADISON MADISON FAMILY CEMETERY MONTPELIER STATION, VIRGINIA

At first, I ranked the gravesite of James Madison a lot lower because the marker was very plain. But it’s James Madison, the Father of the Constitution and it’s at Montpelier – enough said. James and Dolley Madison were buried in the family burial ground located at the end of a long path from Montpelier. My first and only visit came on May 11, 2019.
When I saw that First Lady Dolley Madison’s tombstone was smaller and located behind her husband’s, I was disgusted. In my opinion, Dolley was one of our finest First Lady’s and she deserved to be buried alongside James Madison beneath the single tombstone. Nobody puts Dolley in the corner!

27 – ZACHARY TAYLOR ZACHARY TAYLOR NATIONAL CEMETERY LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

Zachary Taylor’s remains were interred in a mausoleum on grounds that were once part of his father’s ‘Springfield’ property in Louisville, Kentucky. That property was turned into a National Cemetery in the 1920s. President Taylor rests alongside his wife Margaret Mackall Smith Taylor, while his parents’ graves are nearby. My only visit was on July 6, 2014.
I thought the memorial statue dedicated to “Old Rough and Ready” was cool, but I thought the mausoleum could’ve been designed better to give visitors a glimpse of the President’s sarcophagus inside. The single window in the rear of the mausoleum was difficult, at best, to see through.

28 – JOHN TYLER HOLLYWOOD CEMETERY RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

The grave of President John Tyler is located near James Monroe’s tomb in Hollywood Cemetery’s Presidents Circle. I thought the bust of Tyler on the monument was a nice addition. Our 10th President was buried alongside his second wife Julia Gardner, while six of his 15 children were buried nearby. My two visits were on May 12, 2019 and May 18, 2021.
John Tyler was the only President to die outside the United States and he was considered a traitor at the time of his death. That didn’t stop me from honoring our 10th President, even though his body was wrapped in a Confederate flag. He was a Rebel with a cause; thankfully Lincoln thwarted that cause.

29 – WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

President William Howard Taft was the first President buried in Arlington National Cemetery, but his grave is tucked away in a less-traveled section of the historic cemetery. The President’s wife, Helen Herron Taft, was buried alongside her husband after her death 13 years later. My two visits to the Taft grave were on July 19, 2014 and May 20, 2021.
This image was taken during my first visit to Arlington National Cemetery. A row of hedges outlined President Taft’s plot in 2014. Those hedges were gone seven years later when I returned for my second visit.

30 – JAMES BUCHANAN WOODWARD HILL CEMETERY LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

Historians typically rank James Buchanan as the worst President in American history, but I rank his grave at number thirty. That’s right – there’s nine worse gravesites than his. My two visits to Buchanan’s grave were on July 22, 2017 and July 10, 2020.
The plain granite marker was situated in an artistically manicured plot that looked very nice. There was no doubt Woodward Hill Cemetery took very good care of their President. Up until January 2021, James Buchanan was the only President from Pennsylvania.

31 – DWIGHT EISENHOWER EISENHOWER PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY ABILENE, KANSAS

The grave of President Eisenhower was situated inside the Chapel of Remembrance on the grounds of Ike’s Presidential Library. My low ranking was because there was no inscription on the marble grave marker; there was only a bronze plaque embedded in the floor at the foot of the marker. Ike was interred next to his wife Maime and son Doud Dwight Eisenhower. My only visit was on July 25, 2016.
I’m standing in front of the Chapel of Remembrance that protects the final resting place of 34th President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

32 – THEODORE ROOSEVELT YOUNGS MEMORIAL CEMETERY OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

During my lone visit to Theodore Roosvelt’s grave on July 21, 2017, I found the plot was overgrown with unsightly vegetation and the grave was fenced-in, which made it difficult for me to be photographed. Teddy’s wife, Edith Kermit Roosevelt, was also buried somewhere within the enclosure.
My photographer was forced to hold me between the bars of the barricade when I posed for images near Roosevelt’s gravesite. Someday, I hope this gravesite will be re-landscaped and void of the vegetation. In my opinion, it was an eyesore. Even though Teddy was a naturalist, our 26th President deserves better than that tangled menagerie of plants.

33 – GROVER CLEVELAND PRINCETON CEMETERY PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY

The grave of our 22nd and 24th President Grover Cleveland was very accessible and easy to photograph, but the tombstone reminded me of a giant trophy. The President was buried alongside his wife Frances Folsom Cleveland Preston and daughter “Baby” Ruth Cleveland. My two visits to Cleveland’s grave were on July 21, 2017 and May 23, 2021.
Ruth Cleveland, buried beneath the tombstone in the foreground, died from diphtheria at the age of 12. While urban legend states that the Baby Ruth candy bar was named after her, it was likely named after the Yankee slugger. The Curtiss Candy Company simply changed the first name so they wouldn’t have to pay George Herman Ruth royalties.

34 – JOHN ADAMS UNITED FIRST PARISH CHURCH QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS

Yes, I know it’s John Adams, one of our most famous Presidents. And he’s entombed alongside my favorite First Lady, Abigail Adams. But Adams’ sarcophagus was plain, and it was situated in the church crypt that was very cramped. Even though I was able to kill two Presidential-grave “birds” with one stone, I ranked it low. My lone visit to the tomb of John Adams was on July 14, 2017.
From my position on the sarcophagus of John Adams, it’s easy to see how cramped the burial chamber was. Next to John’s crypt was Abigail Adams; in the other side of the chamber were the crypts of John Quincy and Louisa Catherine Adams.

35 – JOHN QUINCY ADAMS UNITED FIRST PARISH CHURCH QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS

The tomb of 6th President John Quincy Adams was the first to crack the Bottom Five on my list. While his sarcophagus was identical to his father’s, John Quincy’s wife, Louisa Catherine Adams, was not my favorite First Lady. My lone visit came on July 14, 2017 – which was only three days after John Quincy’s 250th birthday.
John and John Quincy Adams’ tombs are in the crypt beneath the United First Parish Church in Quincy, Massachusetts.

36 – RICHARD NIXON NIXON LIBRARY & MUSEUM YORBA LINDA, CALIFORNIA

When I think of a small, simple, and uninspiring Presidential grave marker, I think of Richard M. Nixon. The saving grace that kept it from being rated lower (how much lower can it get?) was the fact Nixon was buried almost in the shadow of his birthplace home. First Lady Pat Nixon, whose marker is identical to her husband’s, was buried a few yards away. My only visit came on August 6, 2018. Ironically, Nixon resigned the Presidency on August 8, 1974 – almost 44 years to the day.
My photographer and I had visited all 39 Presidential gravesites together, and it was at the Nixon gravesite when I heard him talk to a dead President for the first and only time – except when he taunted Garfield’s ghost. Tom said: “Thank you Mr. President for keeping me out of Vietnam. I appreciate it!”

37 – LYNDON B. JOHNSON FAMILY CEMETERY LBJ HISTORICAL PARK STONEWALL, TEXAS

Of all the Presidential gravesites, the final resting place of Lyndon B. Johnson was the most difficult for me to be photographed near; which was the reason for its low ranking. The 36th President was buried alongside his wife Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson, and near his parents, grandparents, and other family members. LBJ’s grave was the 38th of the 39 Presidential graves I had seen. My lone visit came on July 20, 2019.
In my mind, I feel the need to make a return trip to get closer to LBJ’s tombstone. But where would I stand? The top of the monument looked uneven and dangerous; I’d hate to fall and be smashed to pieces on the base below. I guess I’ll have to wait until I get there – stay tuned on that one! Oh Bob – are you ready for a road trip in ’23?

38 – MILLARD FILLMORE FOREST LAWN CEMETERY BUFFALO, NEW YORK

Even though an iron fence surrounded the Fillmore plot, the gate has always been open during my three visits on June 20, 2014, July 7, 2017, and January 11, 2020. In this image, captured by my photographer during our 2017 trip, the large shrubs surrounded the President’s grave.
Thirteenth President Millard Fillmore was uninspiring in office and his tombstone wasn’t any better. During my first two visits to Fillmore’s grave, unsightly shrubs surrounded the obelisk and made it difficult for me to stand near it. Thankfully, those shrubs were gone during my third trip. The President was buried alongside his second wife Caroline Carmichal Fillmore and near First Lady Abigail Powers Fillmore, who died shortly after they left the White House. Fillmore’s children, Mary Abigail and Millard P. Fillmore, also rest inside the enclosure.

39 – MARTIN VAN BUREN KINDERHOOK CEMETERY KINDERHOOK, NEW YORK

Last, but not least, the grave of Martin Van Buren. “Old Kinderhook” spoke Dutch as his first language, which made me say to myself: “De slechtste presidentiële grafsteen in de geschiedenis”. The ordinary granite obelisk was uninspiring and situated in an uninspiring cemetery. Van Buren was buried alongside his wife Hannah and near his parents and children. As mundane as this grave was, I’ve been there twice – July 8, 2017 and July 12, 2020. I’m a glutton for punishment!
My second visit to Kinderhook came shortly after the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 and I was forced by my photographer to wear a face mask. I wasn’t sure the reasoning – everyone in that cemetery was already dead. Once I was vaccinated in March of 2021 in the East Room of the White House, however, the face covering came off for good – hopefully.

As of March 2022, there are six United States Presidents still alive and kicking. The oldest is our 39th President Jimmy Carter who is 97; while our 44th President Barack Obama is 60 years old and is the youngest. The four in the middle are Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump – who are all 75 years old. Bringing up the rear of the middlemen is our current Commander-In-Chief, Joe Biden, who turned 79 years old on November 20, 2021. While the latest trend has been for a President to be buried at his Presidential Library, I’ve heard Jimmy Carter has planned to be interred in the yard of his home in Plains, Georgia after his death. Carter is one of my favorite Presidents, so I hope that fateful day is a long way away as I’d love to see Jimmy hit the century mark. Perhaps if any of the living Presidents see this blog post and they notice my ranking, hopefully it will inspire them to design their own tombstone. I’d like to think they wouldn’t want to land near the bottom of my list. While it would take a miracle for them to edge out Garfield for the top spot, there is nothing stopping them from cracking the Top Ten.

I hope you found my ranking interesting and it has inspired your own list of Presidential gravesites ranked from one to thirty-nine. Please leave a comment on where you rank the Presidential graves and let me know which graves you have visited in person. Have any of you been to all thirty-nine gravesites? Or would you rather spend your vacations doing something more fun that visiting dead people? Walley World, perhaps? Please let my photographer and me know – we’d love to read your comments! One last thought: I’ve come up with the perfect design for Jimmy Carter’s tombstone and if he chose it, his final resting place would make it into my Top Ten – which is a tough nut to crack! Please take a look at the design below. Thank you for reading and please share this blog on social media.

I think this giant smiling peanut would make the perfect design and prototype for Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s headstone. Wouldn’t it look amazing situated above their graves in the front yard of their Plains, Georgia home?
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Thomas Watson

My name is Thomas Watson and I've been a U.S. history fanatic since I was 9 years old. In 2013, I decided to take my passion to the next level when I purchased a Thomas Jefferson bobble head with the sole intention of photographing that bobble head at Presidential sites. From that first day on July 10, 2013 at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio, this journey has taken on a life of its own. Now, nearly 40,000 miles later, I thought it was time to share the experiences, stories, and photos of Jefferson's travels. Keep in mind, this entire venture has been done with the deepest respect for the men who held the office as our President; no matter what their political affiliations, personal ambitions, or public scandals may have been. This blog is intended to be a true tribute to the Presidents of the United States and this story will be told Through the Eyes of Jefferson. I hope you enjoy the ride!

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