“While the TV comedy ‘Seinfeld’ was a show about nothing, I’d like to think my blog features posts about something.”
“With that said, this post is dedicated to our 15th President, who also might be America’s first and only gay President – not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
“It’s my pleasure to honor the life and legacy of President James Buchanan, who suffered from esotropia, which was an eye condition that caused him to be partially cross-eyed at times. Buchanan was also near-sighted in one eye, and far-sighted in the other.”
BUCHANAN BIRTHPLACE STATE PARK – Located near Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, this park marks the birthplace site of James Buchanan. The future 15th President was born on April 23, 1791 in a log cabin known as Stony Batter.
“This 31-foot-tall stone pyramid behind me marks the spot where Stony Batter, Buchanan’s birth site, was once located.”
“Harriet Lane Johnston, who was Buchanan’s niece and served as his White House hostess, led the effort to create the birthplace memorial.”
“Stony Batter was a complex of cabins, barns, stables, storehouses, a general store, and an orchard that James Buchanan, Sr. owned. Pioneers travelling from the East Coast through Cove Gap stopped there to replenish their supplies.”
“James Buchanan, Jr. lived at Stony Batter until the age of six, which was when his father moved his business to Mercersburg.”
STONY BATTER – “This small log cabin was the only building left of the Stony Batter complex once owned by James Buchanan, Sr. The cabin, which may have been the birthplace of James Buchanan, had been moved from the Buchanan property to the campus of Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.”
“While this cabin was part of Stony Batter, there was no way of knowing for sure if Buchanan was born in that particular building.”
“As I stood on the windowsill of Stony Batter, I had a good feeling that our 15th President was born in this cabin.”
“Having already visited Buchanan’s birthplace site, I thought it was a shame this cabin wasn’t situated where the stone pyramid was located in Cove Gap.However, authorities were perhaps concerned about vandals desecrating the cabin had it been left at the state park.”
THE JAMES BUCHANAN HOTEL – “Built in 1796 on property purchased by James Buchanan, Sr. in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, this was the boyhood home of the future President as well as his father’s business.James Buchanan moved into his father’s new Mercersburg home when he was six years old. By the time James was ten, his father was one of the town’s leading businessmen.”
“Buchanan was 16 years old when he left Mercersburg, but during his time in this house, he learned from his father how to keep things accounted for and in their proper place.”
“When the Buchanan’s lived here, the building was two-stories tall. A third story was later added when it was turned into a hotel.”
“Located across the street from James Buchanan’s boyhood home in Mercersburg was the childhood home of Harriet Lane, the President’s niece. She later became his White House hostess.”
THE MERCERSBURG MANSION HOUSE – Built around 1798, Colonel Murphy purchased the building in 1845 and turned it into a prominent hotel that he ran until 1864. On July 3, 1863, a Confederate soldier was killed when shooting began from the hotel’s kitchen.
“In 1856, James Buchanan gave a speech from the hotel’s balcony. It became the first speech of his Presidential campaign.During his speech, Buchanan was heckled by some young boys for his position on slavery. The hecklers were persuaded to taunt him by political foes of Buchanan.”
UNITED STATES CAPITOL – “President Buchanan took the Oath of Office on March 4, 1857 on the steps of the East Portico of the United States Capitol.During his lengthy inaugural address, Buchanan made it clear he was in favor of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.”
“During his inauguration, which was the first in American history to be photographed, Buchanan also said he supported the Dred Scott Case, which the Supreme Court decided the Constitution did not give American citizenship to people of African descent, whether they were enslaved or free.”
THE WHITE HOUSE – “During his four years in the White House, Buchanan’s Presidency is considered by many historians to be the worst.When the Union was in crisis over slavery, Buchanan was considered inactive. Some believed he favored the Southern states and betrayed national trust.It’s believed Buchanan came closer to committing treason than any other President in American history. But then again, that was well before January 6, 2021!”
HARRIET LANE – As niece to the bachelor President Buchanan, Harriet quickly became a very popular White House hostess. Women copied her hair and clothing styles, and even named their newborn daughters after her. While in the White House, Lane promoted the cause of improving living conditions for Native Americans. To date, Harriet Lane is one of 11 women to serve as First Lady who were not married to the President.
BEDFORD SPRINGS HOTEL – “Located in Bedford, Pennsylvania and built in 1806, the hotel became President Buchanan’s ‘Summer White House’ from 1857 to 1861.Presidents William Henry Harrison, James K. Polk, and Zachary Taylor also used the Bedford Springs Hotel for a getaway and meeting place.”
“The area became famous for its natural freshwater springs, which were reputed by Native Americans to have ‘healing powers.'”
“The first transatlantic cable sent from England to the United States was received by President Buchanan at this hotel on August 12, 1858.”
“As I stood in the lobby of the Bedford Springs Hotel, I had wondered if Buchanan or the other Presidents had walked through here as well.”
“This Sheraton desk I’m standing on was used by President James Buchanan during his many visits to the Bedford Springs Hotel.”
“James Buchanan first came to this hotel as a young attorney in 1816 and spent most of his summers here until he became President in 1857.”
“This section of the hotel was the oldest and was here when Presidents Buchanan stayed at the Bedford Springs.”
WHEATLAND – “Located in Lancaster Township, Pennsylvania, this home was built in 1828 by William Jenkins. Its original name was ‘The Wheatlands’, because Jenkins built it on 22 acres of wheat fields. This amazing estate was home to James Buchanan from 1848 until his death in 1868.”
“James Buchanan bought this house in December 1848 while he was Secretary of State under James K. Polk.In the 20 years Buchanan owned Wheatland, the only time he wasn’t living here was when he was Ambassador to Great Britain under Franklin Pierce; and when he lived in the White House as President.”
“Buchanan never married, making him the only bachelor President in history. For a 13-year period beginning in 1840, Buchanan was linked with William Rufus King, who went on to be elected as Franklin Pierce’s Vice President. The couple lived together in Washington, and they attended social functions together. Andrew Jackson, who was a crass asshole, mocked the pair; tagging King and Buchanan with the nicknames “Aunt Fancy” and “Miss Nancy.”
“I’ve always been a fan of knockers, and I never pass up an opportunity to hang from them. Now it’s time to walk through this doorway behind me and enter the world of President James Buchanan.”
“This is Wheatland’s parlor where Buchanan entertained guests. Can you see me and my photographer in the mirror located on the far wall?”
“I’m standing on Buchanan’s dining room table that was outfitted with White House China used during his administration.”
“When the tour guide left me alone for a few minutes, I found myself standing on Buchanan’s Presidential desk he used while in the White House.”
“When it became harder for Buchanan to go up and down stairs, especially when he had to go out to the privy, he had a portable toilet and washtub put in his bedroom.”
“James Buchanan caught a cold and died of respiratory failure on June 1, 1868 at the age of 77. He died in this bedroom at Wheatland.”
“Unfortunately, this was not the bed Buchanan died in. However, this bed was used in this room after the President’s death and was identical to his deathbed.”
WOODWARD HILL CEMETERY – Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this cemetery is where 15th President James Buchanan was buriedafter a simple funeral service was conducted at Wheatland on June 4, 1868.
“When William Rufus King died on April 18, 1853, Buchanan was all alone as the master of his domain for the last 15 years of his life.With only letters and speculation to go by, there is little doubt I’m standing on the final resting place of America’s only gay President – not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
“James Buchanan’s monument is not the original one that was created per his specifications in 1868. It was replaced in 1960, and the replacement closely resembles the original.”
“My photographer’s wife snapped this image of Tom during their visit in 2017.”
“When my photographer and I visited Lancaster on July 22, 2017, Buchanan’s grave was the 30th Presidential gravesite we had visited together.”
“The two of us returned during the height of the Covid pandemic, which was the reason I chose to wear a facemask.”
“It looks like these four are having a gay old time – not that there’s anything wrong with that.”
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!
