“The fireworks are flying and I’m so excited to present this tribute to one of my favorite Presidents.”
“Unfortunately, our 20th President had the second-shortest time in office, serving only 199 days before he was assassinated.”
“I sincerely hope you enjoy my tribute to another member of the Tecumseh Curse Club – James Abram Garfield.”
GARFIELD BIRTH SITE – “James Garfield was born on this site in Orange Township (now Moreland Hills), Ohio, on November 19, 1831. He lived here on his family farm until 1856.Even though this cabin was a replica, Garfield was the last President born in a log cabin.”
“This boulder was located about a quarter-mile behind the Garfield replica cabin. It marked the exact location of President Garfield’s birth cabin.”
“Throughout his rough childhood, young Garfield was mocked by his peers because he was poor and fatherless. He escaped being bullied by his relentless reading of books.”
LUCRETIA RUDOLPH – “Roughly one week before Garfield’s 27th birthday, the future President married 26-year-old Lucretia Rudolph on November 11, 1858 at the home of the bride’s parents in Hiram, Ohio. The newlyweds did not take a honeymoon, but instead set up housekeeping immediately at Hiram.”
STATE HOUSE OF OHIO – “James A. Garfield won a seat in the Ohio State Senate in 1859 and served from January 2, 1860 until August 21, 1861.During his time in the state Senate, Garfield praised abolitionist John Brown as a hero and said his execution “shall be the dawn of a better day.”At the same time, Senator Garfield did not condone Brown’s bloody raid at Harper’s Ferry.”
JAMES A. GARFIELD HOUSE – “James Garfield married Lucretia Rudolph in 1858 and the couple lived in this house in Hiram, Ohio. While they lived in Hiram, James began studying law and he passed the bar in 1861. At the time Garfield was studying to be a lawyer, he continued to serve in the state Senate. Today, this house is reputed to be haunted by several ghosts – including James and Lucretia Garfield.
“Just after Senator Garfield became a lawyer, the Civil War began. James despised slavery and he hated the fact the southern states had seceded.”
“When the South bombarded Fort Sumter, Garfield signed up for the military.”
“During the war, Garfield faced only one major battle, which earned him a promotion to brigadier general.”
“During the summer of 1862, Garfield suffered from jaundice during the war and came home where Lucretia nursed him back to health.”
“While home, Garfield’s friends convinced him to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. He won the October election without campaigning as he had returned to the war front.”
UNITED STATES CAPITOL – “At the urging of President Abraham Lincoln, Garfield left the service and took his seat in the United States House of Representatives. James Garfield took the Oath of Office on March 4, 1863, and served the U.S. House for the next 17 years.”
“I had the chance to stand on the desk that was used by James Garfield in the United States House of Representatives. Garfield was an elected member of the House from March 4, 1863 until November 8, 1880 when he became President-elect.”
CHARLES G. LEARNED HOUSE – “This three-story mansion was built in 1837 at the “Edge of the Wilderness” in Port Austin, Michigan. New York businessman Charles Learned and his wife Maria purchased the home in 1859.”
“Around 1866, Congressman James A. Garfield first came to Port Austin to visit his friends, Charles and Maria Learned at their home. For the rest of that decade, Garfield became a frequent visitor.”
“Garfield knew the Learned’s from his college days in New York when he stayed with them. There was a chance the future President had developed a secret crush on Maria.”
LAWNFIELD – “Located in Mentor, Ohio, James Garfield acquired this farmhouse in 1876 while serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives.When Garfield acquired this farm, he wanted a place where ‘I can touch the earth and get some strength from it’. He also wanted a place to teach his boys about hard work and farming.”
“Congressman Garfield also felt this house would be a perfect place to stay when Congress was in recess during the hot summer months.”
“Let’s walk through the front door and see the inside of Garfield’s beloved home, known as ‘Lawnfield’.”
“I’m standing in the Parlor at Lawnfield; located inside the front entrance on the first floor. The photo behind me is of James’ mother Eliza – whom he adored.”
“Now I’m in the Dining Room – over 80% of all the furniture inside the home was owned and used by the Garfield’s in the 1880s.”
“This is the Dining Room fireplace, decorated with items used by the Garfield’s in the White House.”
“This is James and Lucretia Garfield’s Master Bedroom located on the second story of the home.”
“I’m back downstairs in the Garfield’s first floor “summer bedroom” where they slept during the hot months.”
“And finally, James Garfield’s favorite room in the house – his 19th century ‘man cave’. The chair near me was his favorite.”
“After serving 17 years in the U.S. Congress, Garfield was elected to the Senate in January 1880. But a Presidential bid was in order first, as he was nominated by the Republican Party to be their delegate for the Presidency.”
“James Garfield turned this building, once used as his library, into his temporary campaign headquarters in 1880.”
“Garfield had a temporary telegraph system installed inside his campaign headquarters where he could communicate with party leaders and supporters around the country.”
“Garfield conducted much of his successful and precedent-setting ‘front porch’ campaign at Lawnfield. As a matter of fact, the name ‘Lawnfield’ came from the hundreds of reporters who camped out on Garfield’s lawn to get the latest news of his campaign.”
“During his front porch campaign, Garfield posed with his mother Eliza to his right, his 13-year-old daughter Mollie (standing), and his wife Lucretia.”
“After he was elected President in November 1880, Garfield left Lawnfield for Washington D.C. on February 28, 1881. He would never return to his beloved farm.”
UNITED STATES CAPITOL – “James A. Garfield recited the Presidential Oath of Office on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 1881. Just three days before his Inauguration, Garfield scrapped his original speech and rushed to re-write a new one.”
“Exhausted by several sleepless nights of writing, his highly anticipated speech failed to live up to expectations. Everyone knew what a great writer and speaker Garfield was. However, he left his friends and audience wanting more.”
“During Garfield’s Inauguration, Chief Justice Morrison Waite administered the Presidential Oath of Office.”
“I’m standing over the Bible used by Garfield as he recited the Oath of Office.”
“These shoes and hat were worn by James Garfield on Inauguration Day 1881.”
THE WHITE HOUSE – “President Garfield went to work quickly in the White House when he enforced Presidential authority over traditional courtesy given to the Senate in making executive appointments. The Senate was famous for giving friends and contributors good jobs. President Garfield took that perk away from them.”
LUCRETIA GARFIELD – “Just two months into her role as First Lady, Lucretia was afflicted with a life-threatening case of malaria. The President suspended many of his duties so he could personally attend to her needs. In June 1881, President Garfield rented a cottage in Long Branch, New Jersey where his wife could recuperate.”
CHURCH OF THE PRESIDENTS – “Built in 1879 in Long Branch, New Jersey, the St. James Protestant Episcopal Church was where seven Presidents had worshipped when they visited the Jersey shore. Presidents Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, McKinley and Wilson all worshiped in this church.”
“Of the seven Presidents, all but Grant were in office when they worshipped here.”
“While President Garfield was in Long Branch to visit his wife, he and Lucretia worshipped in this church on June 19, 1881. A few days later, the President returned to Washington without his wife – however, he planned on returning in early July for a vacation.”
GARFIELD ASSASSINATION SITE – “I’m in the middle of Constitution Avenue near 6th Avenue (then called B Street) which is the site once occupied by the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station.I got lucky and didn’t get run over while I stood in the middle of one of Washington’s busiest streets.”
“This was the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station where President Garfield was shot.”
“While in the railroad station, as the President was scheduled to leave on Summer vacation, Charles J. Guiteau shot Garfield in the back at point-blank range at 9:30am on July 2, 1881.”
“I’m standing alongside the hat worn by James Garfield when he was shot twice by Charles Guiteau.”
“This newspaper illustration depicted the moment when President Garfield was struck down by an assassin’s bullets.”
“The President was immediately taken to the White House where he remained bedridden while his doctors probed for the bullet.Unfortunately, the doctors unsterilized hands and equipment made matters worse and Garfield became weaker when he developed an abscess in the wound.”
“The President suffered throughout August as the heat had become unbearable. By the end of that month, Garfield’s weight had decreased from 185 pounds down to 130.In early September, the decision was made to transport the dying President out of Washington to Long Branch where Lucretia had recovered earlier in the summer.”
“Garfield left the White House for good on September 5, 1881. He was transported by a specially cushioned rail car. This bed I’m standing on was designed for him to lay on during transport, but he refused to use it.”
FRANCKLYN COTTAGE SITE – “Located in the Elberon section of Long Branch, New Jersey, the small monument behind me marks the location of the Francklyn Cottage where James Garfield arrived on September 6, 1881.”
“When the mortally wounded President arrived here by train, he was in a lot of pain. Garfield was transported to this seaside cottage by a specially built railroad spur constructed overnight by local volunteers.”
“When a friend assured the mortally wounded President that he had much work still before him, Garfield replied…
…’no, my work is done.’ Those were President Garfield’s last words.”
“James A. Garfield died at the age of 49 at 10:35pm on September 19, 1881 at this site in Elberon, New Jersey.”
“When the Francklyn Cottage burned down in the 1920s, the site was ignored until the 1950s when this small granite memorial was placed on the property.”
THE GARFIELD TEA HOUSE – “Now located on the property of the Church of the Presidents in Long Branch, New Jersey, this small 10’ x 10’ cabin was built by William Presley shortly after President Garfield had died.Shortly after Garfield’s death, Oliver Byron purchased the spikes, ties, and planks used for the emergency railroad tracks that had been put in place to transport the wounded President from the Elboron Station to the Francklyn Cottage.”
“Originally painted red, white, and blue as a tribute to Garfield, this cabin was the brainchild of Oliver Byron – a Broadway stage actor and resident of Long Branch.”
“When Byron had the tea house built, he said that since Garfield was born in a log cabin, this cabin was a fitting tribute. The cabin first stood in the yard of Byron’s summer cottage until his death.”
“Following his death, the body of President Garfield was transported by train from New Jersey back to Washington D.C. where the President laid in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.”
“Garfield’s body laid in state on this spot in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on September 22 and 23, 1881.”
“This is an image of Garfield’s casket as the President laid in state in the U.S. Capitol.”
LAKE VIEW CEMETERY – “The mausoleum of Levi Schofield in Cleveland’s Lake View Cemetery was used as Garfield’s temporary tomb until the President’s permanent resting place was completed in 1890.After Garfield’s casket had arrived at the Public Square in Cleveland for public mourning on September 25, 1881, the President’s remains were transported to Lake View Cemetery.”
“Garfield’s remains were guarded 24 hours a day while entombed here until they were moved to the permanent monument in 1890.”
JAMES A. GARFIELD MEMORIAL – “Dedicated on May 30, 1890, the final resting place of President Garfield is located in Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio. The impressive memorial is 180-feet high.”
“It seems as though I’ve had paranormal encounters during each of my numerous visits over the years. Let’s go up the steps behind me and into the Garfield Memorial, shall we!”
“Once I was carried though the huge oak doors and into the memorial, I came face to face with this 12-foot-tall marble statue of our 20th President.”
“To my left, inside the lower crypt, was the flag-draped casket of President Garfield. Next to the President is the coffin of Lucretia Garfield – who died on March 13, 1918.James Garfield’s casket is the only Presidential casket in full view.”
“Behind me, on the other side of the crypt room, were two urns containing the ashes of the President’s daughter, Mary, and her husband, Joseph Staley-Brown, who was Garfield’s private secretary in the White House.”
“During past visits, I’ve had my head mysteriously removed after posing in the crypt. Another time, my photographer’s phone suddenly began playing a mysterious song while he was setting me inside the caged area.”
“And in 2015, this woman said she could “feel the spirit’s energy” all around me. However, Garfield never made a visual appearance.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind – Garfield’s Memorial is haunted, which is why it’s my favorite Presidential gravesite and the reason I keep coming back.”
“That’s my photographer posing in front of the Garfield Memorial, which is his favorite Presidential gravesite. To date, the two of us have visited Garfield’s final resting place five times, which is more than any other tomb of a President.”
“Our first visit to Garfield’s Tomb was one of the most memorable during my nearly eleven-year career. Less than ten minutes after we left Lake View Cemetery, my photographer discovered my head had mysteriously been removed – while I was standing alone in my protective camera case.”
“I returned two years later, which was when my photographer taunted the President’s spirit in the crypt in an attempt to get Garfield to remove my head again. While nothing happened, Tom did cross paths with two women who said they had photographed an unusual anomaly in the crypt while we were there.”
“My third visit to Lake View Cemetery featured a moment in the crypt when my photographer’s cell phone suddenly began playing an unusual song as he slid me along the chamber’s floor.”
“When we arrived in 2022 for our fourth visit, the two of us noticed the exterior of the memorial had been power washed. While no paranormal activity occurred during that visit, my right arm suddenly fell off at our next stop of the trip.”
“During my fifth and final visit to date, my photographer didn’t experience any paranormal activity. However, he did get into a verbal altercation with the staff member on duty that day. It turned out the guy, also named Tom, was hell-bent on making sure we weren’t attempting to perform any supernatural activities in the crypt. Why would we do that? There’s no paranormal activity in that tomb– just don’t tell James Garfield that.”
“I hope you have enjoyed my supernatural tribute to the legacy of President James Garfield. And if you ever visit Garfield’s tomb in Cleveland, Ohio, who are you gonna call? That’s right – Ghostbusters!”
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!
