“It’s me again, the world’s most famous bobble head, and I’m excited to present this post about one of my favorite Presidents.”
“While most people couldn’t name our 11th President, he became one of the best to ever live within the walls of the White House.”
“It’s a true honor for me to share with you the sites I’ve visited in the past associated with the life of our amazing 11th President, James K. Polk.”
PRESIDENT JAMES K. POLK STATE HISTORIC SITE – “Located in Pineville, North Carolina, the site sits on 21 of the original 150 acres of land owned by President Polk’s father, Samuel. It was here where James K. Polk was bornonNovember 2, 1795.“
“This stone pyramid I’m standing alongside marks the cabin site where James K. Polk was born.”
“Two replica log cabins, one which represented Polk’s birthplace, along with another outbuilding, were located a short distance from the birth site pyramid.”
“This log home I’m standing on represented Polk’s birthplace.”
“As I stood on the windowsill of the fake cabin, I saw a small black lizard run up the wall before it disappeared into a crack.”
JAMES K. POLK ANCESTRAL HOME – “Built in 1816 by Samuel Polk in Columbia, Tennessee, this is the only surviving home of James K. Polk other than the White House. Polk lived here until his marriage in 1824.”
“At first, I wasn’t going to tour the inside of the Polk house. Then my photographer and I found out there were original Presidential artifacts inside the home – and I need to say no more.”
“This fountain I’m standing on was originally located on the property of Polk Place in Nashville.”
“James. K. Polk owned this home after his father’s death in 1827. His mother, Jane, continued to live there until her death in 1852; three years after the President had died.Let’s open the door and visit the world of James K. Polk.”
“This furniture, including the table I’m standing on, was used by Polk inside the White House.”
“The home was once visited by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the 1960s.Perhaps Lyndon was trying to pick up pointers on how to be a good President. Unfortunately, LBJ fell short of that goal.”
“When Tom and I were in one of the home’s bedrooms, I stood on a bed where young James once slept.”
“This smoking jacket, once worn by Polk, is the only known surviving clothing associated with the 11th President.”
“Lastly, I saw the Bible used by Polk when he took the Oath of Office as President on March 4, 1845. When I visit the home on April 19, 2024, I’ll pose alongside the Bible again and hopefully Tom will capture a better image.”
SARAH CHILDRESS – When Polk was 28 years old, he married 20-year-old Sarah Childress on January 1, 1824 in the bride’s parent’s home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Polk was sworn in as Governor of Tennessee in 1839 inside this Presbyterian Church.
UNITED STATES CAPITOL – On March 4, 1845, James K. Polk took the Oath of Office on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol. That inauguration ceremony was the first to be reported by telegraph and the first to be shown in a newspaper illustration.“When my photographer placed me on this section of the Capitol, we were being watched by Capitol Police the entire time. Too bad those cops weren’t as observant on January 6, 2021!”
“This was the newspaper illustration which featured the inauguration of President Polk.”
THE WHITE HOUSE – Once Polk settled into the White House, he went to work to bring his four major campaign promises to life. His sights were set on cutting tariffs; he wanted to establish an independent U.S. Treasury; Polk wanted to secure the Oregon Territory; and he wouldn’t rest until he obtained California and New Mexico from Mexico.”
“I thought this image of President Polk was cool. Not only did the photograph feature James and Sarah Polk, but Secretary of State James Buchanan posed on the far left, while former First Lady Dolley Madison stood just to the right of the President.”
“The amazing part of Polk’s bold agenda was he also promised to do everything in one single term. His ambition was likely due to the fact that at age 49, he was the youngest elected President to date.”
SARAH POLK – “As First Lady, Sarah was lively, charming, intelligent, and a good conversationalist. President Polk, at times, discussed policy matters with her. However, as a devout Presbyterian, Sarah banned hard liquor and dancing at official receptions in the White House.”
DICKSON-WILLIAMS MANSION – Located in Greeneville, Tennessee, wealthy merchant and postmaster William Dickson had the mansion built for his daughter Catherine and her newlywed husband Dr. Alexander Williams. Over the years, the mansion played host to Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson.
“At times, President James K. Polk stopped at the home of Dr. Williams during his trips to and from Washington; mainly because Williams had two brothers serving in Congress at the time.Besides the Presidential connection, the mansion also hosted John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, David Crockett, and Marquis de Lafayette.”
“Confederate General John Hunt Morgan was staying at this house when the Union cavalry came to Greeneville to capture Morgan on September 4, 1864. When Morgan fled the home, the General was shot in the back and died in the front yard.”
POLK PLACE SITE – Upon leaving the Presidency, Polk moved into Polk Place, which was once located at this site in Nashville, Tennessee before it was demolished in 1900.”
“President Polk died on June 15, 1849 from cholera at Polk Place, just 103 days after leaving the White House. At age 53, he was the youngest former President to die in retirement.”
“While lying on his deathbed inside Polk Place, the President’s last words were: “I love you, Sarah. For all eternity, I love you.”
“It’s a damned shame Polk Place was demolished. In my opinion, whomever made the decision to raze President Polk’s home should’ve had their butt kicked and their head examined.”
McKENDREE METHODIST CHURCH – This church in Nashville, Tennessee was the site of James K. Polk’s funeral. The original building burned down in 1879.
JAMES K. POLK TOMB – President Polk was originally buried in a temporary tomb in the city cemetery; then he was re-interred on the property of Polk Place on May 22, 1850. In 1893, Polk’s tomb was relocated to the grounds of the State Capitol Building in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I do my best to stand on the tomb or gravesite of every President. Not only does it make me feel closer to their spirit, at times, it gets me closer to spending time in jail.”
“I was surprised when my clumsy photographer stepped gracefully over the small barricade and stood next to the burial site of James K. Polk.”
“My first and only visit to the grave of James K. Polk was on July 8, 2014. I plan to return to this site with my photographer on April 18, 2024 where I will stand on the tomb at precisely 1:07pm. Want to meet me there? Be the first person at Polk’s gravesite to say ‘Hey, it’s the bobble head guy’ and you will win $25 in cash!”
“That’s the end of my James K. Polk post, but not the end of my visits to Polk sites. In April 2024, I will revisit some of those sites and my photographer will be adding better images to this post.”
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!
