Admit it, you thought I was done. I kind of did, too. But the thing is, I am not done traveling. I have a few tricks up my sleeve yet.
Anyway, I passed through something interesting on my way back to Kalamazoo. I had to make the trip in two days – or, rather, I chose to make the trip the trip in two days. I wasn’t going to close on the house immediately upon arrival, so I was going to be in a hotel for a few days.
Cora handled the Red Roof Inn in Hermitage, Pennsylvania like a champ! I didn’t have to move any furniture or chase her to get her back in her carrier when it was time to leave in the morning.
I was only about 30 miles away from Niles, Ohio. I had to get gas, so I figured I might as well stop there. Why?
Well, Niles is the birthplace of President William McKinley. Those of you who have been regular readers of my blog might remember that McKinley holds a special place in my heart for two reasons:
I spent most of my formative years living on a street named McKinley Avenue and
McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo, my hometown.
(Also, my brother, Craig’s, wedding reception was held in the mansion where Teddy Roosevelt was inaugurated after McKinley succumbed to his wounds on September 14, 1901, eight days after being shot by Leon Czolgosz at the Pan American Exposition.
Incidentally, did anyone ever tell you not to brag about your accomplishments? McKinley began his second term by celebrating the United States’ victory in the Spanish-American War. According to Ohio History Central, economic prosperity seemed to have returned after the Panic of 1893. To celebrate these accomplishments, McKinley embarked on a cross-country tour during the summer of 1901. Before returning to Washington, DC. he decided to stop off in Buffalo to give a speech at the Exposition.
It didn’t go as he had planned.
After his death, there were competing plans to honor his memory. Since he had spent most of his life in Canton, Ohio, it probably made sense that his Presidential Library, Museum and gravesite are located there.
However, Niles, his birthplace, would not be denied their opportunity to honor their native son. I followed my HISTORY Here! directions and pulled up in front of the William McKinley National Memorial Free to the People.
This would have to be a quick visit, as Cora had to wait in the truck. I parked in the shade and cracked open a window.
This is quite the shrine.
There was a contest to select the design, which would be built on a five acre tract that the city of Niles had already set aside. The request for proposals went out in 1914. In 1915, the winner was declared. The firm of McKim, Mead, and White won the $1000 prize for their Beaux Arts pastiche of Greek and Roman themes. I hope they received further reimbursement for their work. $1000 seems kind of low.
McKinley’s statue, by J. Massey Rhind , originally conceived as a bronze monument, was carved from a single thirty-five ton piece of marble. His sister, Helen McKinley, unveiled the statue at the dedication in 1917. Former President Howard Taft also spoke at the dedication. He urged involvement in World War I as well as praising McKinley.
A horseshoe-shaped arcade surrounds the courtyard where McKinley’s statue stands.
The arcade is line with busts of prominent men, many of whom were from Ohio.
President Warren G, Harding is here, although he wasn’t elected until 1930.
David Tod, Governor of Ohio during the Civil War, minister to Brazil, as well as a pioneer in coal, iron and transportation and beloved citizen is represented.
John Hay was McKinley’s Secretary of State as will as Lincoln’s private secretary. He was involved in many ventures, including the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which cleared the way for the construction of the Panama Canal.
There were many other busts, but I didn’t want to leave Cora in the truck by herself too long. According to my Preferred Source, the Association that sponsored the Memorial specified that there should be bronze busts of men like Theodore Roosevelt, Marcus Hanna, Joseph Butler, Jr, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick. Incidentally, Carnegie and Frick were large contributors to the Memorial’s fund. Perhaps these men were on the other side of the arcade.
One side of the building was a museum and the other side was a library. I stepped into the library to see what I could see.
Lo and behold! There was the bust of Joseph G. Butler, Jr. He is identified as the organizer and founder of this memorial, as well as a pioneer iron manufacturer, philanthropist, author, active leader in civic movements and a liberal patron of American art. I checked on him to see if he might be “padding his resume” but it sounds like he might have actually done all that.
One more bust I saw in the library was that of John R. Thomas, who was prominently identified with manufacturing interests in Niles. According to the pedestal, his life was an example of industry and integrity.
Time was ticking and I wanted to make sure my sweet Cora didn’t overheat.
These mosaics caught my eyes.
One last look up as I headed back to the truck.
Really, aren’t those details amazing?
Then it was time to roll.
Ah! I’m back to I-94! I’ll take the ramp toward Chicago and then I’ll be back in town. A few more nights in a Red Roof Inn and then it’ll be time to move in to my own house.